Match Preview: Bolton Wanderers v Fleetwood Town

1 November 2019

Fleetwood Town travel the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday to face Bolton Wanderers, and you can find all you need to know in our match preview.

Fixture: Bolton Wanderers v Fleetwood Town

Competition: Sky Bet League One

Date: Saturday 2 November 2019

Kick-Off: 15:00

Venue: University of Bolton Stadium, Burnden Way, Bolton, BL6 6JW

Match officials: Scott Oldham (Referee), Joe Simpson & Mark Cunliffe (Assistants), Gary Hilton (Fourth official)

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FLEETWOOD TOWN

Fleetwood sit 4^th in Sky Bet League One following their 1-0 victory over MK Dons last weekend. Town have a game in hand on the teams around them, and if they can pick up another three points, it would push them right up with those in the automatic promotion places.

There are no new injury concerns for the Town head coach, with a full-strength side at his disposal with Conor McAleny featuring against The Dons last time out.

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BOLTON WANDERERS

Bolton sit bottom of the table after 12 matches being played, but things are starting to look up for Keith Hill’s team after they picked up their first win of the season against Bristol Rovers two weeks ago.

Goals from Luke and Daryl Murphy secured the three points at the Memorial Stadium, and with their game postponed last time out due to international call-ups, they’ll be looking to make it two wins out of two against the Cod Army.

Thibaud Verlinden is Wanderers’ top goal scorer in the league, but hasn’t featured for Hill’s side since Saturday 19 October, where he scored Bolton’s only goal in their 3-1 home loss to Rochdale.

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LAST TIME WE MET

The last time Fleetwood and Bolton played against each other was back in March 2017. With both sides going head to head in the promotion push, Wanderers came out 4-2 winners at Highbury with Adam Le Fondre bagging a brace, and defenders Mark Beevers and David Wheater scoring the rest.

Kyle Dempsey scored Town’s first goal of the afternoon, with Bobby Grant scoring the second with three minutes left in the match.

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ONE TO WATCH: LUKE MURPHY

Luke Murphy is a player Fleetwood Town should be wary of this weekend. The box to box midfielder has played 11 games this season in all competition, scoring just the one goal in their only win of the campaign away at Bristol Rovers.

The 30-year-old started off his career at Crewe Alexandra in their Youth Academy, and made his debut back in 2008 against Swindon in December – where the Railwaymen picked up all three points in their 1-0 home win.

After over 160 appearances for Crewe, Leeds United signed the midfielder for £1 million and in his first match for United, he bagged the winner in the 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

With two loan spells at Burton Albion, he returned back to Leeds in 2018 but moved on shortly after.

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WHAT JOEY BARTON HAD TO SAY:

Fleetwood Town head coach Joey Barton sat down with the media on Thursday morning at Poolfoot Farm, and you can listen to the full interview on iFollow.

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WHAT PADDY MADDEN HAD TO SAY:

Town forward Paddy Madden was also on press duty this week, and to listen to the Irishman’s full interview, click HERE.

TICKET INFORMATION

The Cod Army are looking to build on their 1-0 win over MK Dons on Saturday, which saw Joey Barton’s side rise to fourth place in Sky Bet League one, only four points off the top!

Adult tickets are just £20, Concessions only £12 and Under 18s are £10. Don’t miss out, get your tickets now!

Supporters with an Onward Card can also take advantage of £5 coach travel on the day. Non-Onward Card holders will pay £10 for a seat on the coach to and from the stadium.

The following at Bolton will be the biggest of the season, so let's get behind the lads!

Tickets are only available to purchase in person at the Highbury Stadium club shop or at Poolfoot Farm’s main reception. Fans can also buy tickets by calling 01253 775080.

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BETTING ODDS

Bolton Wanderers are 29/10 to win Town, a draw is at 11/4, and an away win for the Cod Army, the odds are 4/5.

For Joey Barton’s side to win & both teams to score, it’s 11/4.

Fleetwood Town forward Ched Evans is priced at 10/3 to score first against the club that tried to signed him in the last January transfer window.

Paddy Madden is 3/1 to score either first or last at the University of Bolton Stadium, with Lewie Coyle 20/1 to score at any time in the match.

For more odds on SkyBet, click HERE. Please remember to bet and gamble responsibly.

WATCH TOWN ON iFOLLOW

Can't make the game on Saturday? Well don't worry as we have it covered just for you!

For just £10, supporters who are based abroad can live stream the match and watch it in the comfort of their own home, with those living in the UK and Ireland able to listen to full-match commentary for as little as £2.50

If you want to know more about iFollow, and find out ways to support the Cod Army, click HERE.

Match Reports

Report: Cod Army start November with defeat at Bolton

2 November 2019

Fleetwood Town fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Bolton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

Despite Town having the lion share of the possession, it was Bolton who took the lead through Chris O’Grady just before the half hour – the forward took full advantage of a loose back pass to slot the ball home from close range.

Daryl Murphy doubled Wanderers’ lead with just over ten minutes left in the first half, but the visitors got one back with minutes left on the clock through Josh Morris, and nearly equalised at the death through fellow substitute Ashley Hunter.

Fleetwood started off the quickest of the two sides, with Wes Burns and Paddy Madden looking threatening in a lively opening ten minutes.

Burns was enjoying acres of space down the right flank and when he thought he was one on one with the Bolton keeper, Wanderers defender Jake Wright brought him down just outside the box – resulting in the centre-half picking up an early yellow card.

Barton’s men were finding pockets of space in between Bolton’s back line, and when Jordan Rossiter found Madden, he looked to find the corner of the net, however the Irishman's effort was well blocked by Yoan Zouma.

Thibaud Verlinden had the hosts first shot of the game midway through the first half. The Stoke City loanee ran at Lewie Coyle before pulling the trigger – which saw his shot deflect off the right back, out for a corner kick.

Bolton had another chance moments later. Joe Dodoo darted past Danny Andrew on the left flank and picked out Verlinden on the edge of the box. The midfielder’s shot sailed high into the away end of the ground. A good chance.

Keith Hill’s side made their pressure count when O’Grady took advantage of a loose back pass from Australian international Harry Souttar. The striker was the first to react, with Alex Cairns not being able to keep his effort from six yards out.

Murphy doubled the Trotters’ lead when he went around Cairns and calmly slotted it home to leave the Cod Army a mountain to climb at the break.

Fleetwood started off the second half well, and when Coyle found a yard of space, he struck the ball well on his weaker foot, only to see it go marginally wide of the top corner. Close to a first goal for Town.

Barton made three changes on the hour mark with Madden, Burns and Rossiter coming off. Hunter, Morris and Conor McAleny were sent out to change the score line in Greater Manchester.

The trio did make an impact, but with one loose touch in the middle of the park, Bolton were through on goal with Dennis Politic having only Cairns to beat. The keeper got an all important touch on the ball.

Joe Dodoo picked out O’Grady inside the 18 yard box and the striker thought he had scored his second of the match. He was denied by a fantastic save from Cairns, giving Town hope with 15 minutes left on the clock.

The goal did come with five minutes to go. Morris latched onto the loose ball on the edge of Bolton’s penalty area, and guided his shot into the corner past Matthews. A great finish.

The fourth official indicated that there would be five minutes additional time, and with Keith Hill’s side holding on, Town thought they had levelled proceedings right at the death, but someone Matthews got both hands on Andrew's late header from a corner.

A break from league action coming up, with a trip to Barnet next up for Joey Barton's side in the Emirates FA Cup.

Bolton XI: Matthews (GK), Emmanuel, Lowe ©, Wright, Murphy, O’Grady, Chicksen, Verlinden (Politic 55’ – Graham 89’), Dodoo, Zouma.

Subs not used: Alexander, Weir, Hall, Boom, Senior.

Fleetwood XI: Cairns (GK), Coyle, Souttar, Dunne, Andrew, Rossiter (McAleny 60’), Coutts ©, Dempsey, Burns (Morris 60’), Madden (Hunter 60’), Evans.

Subs not used: Crellin (GK), Clarke, Biggins, Mooney.

Match Reports

Ticket News

Under 18s tickets just a tenner for Bolton away

29 October 2019

The Cod Army are gearing up to face Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, and some of our younger supporters can take advantage of a great offer!

For supporters who are aged 18 and under, tickets are only £10 for seat in the away end at The University of Bolton Stadium!

With the club also running official supporters’ coaches from Highbury Stadium on the day of the game, it will cost those with an Onward Card just £5, with non-Onward Card holder paying £10 for travel to and from the stadium.

Young adults aged between 15-18 years-old can book their seat without an adult, with those 14 and under have to be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Joey Barton has said on the upcoming fixture: “The support from the Cod Army is growing in number and in noise every week, and hopefully we’ll see a busy and passionate away end at Bolton this Saturday!”

For any further details on ticket prices or coach travel, please contact the ticket office / club shop at Highbury on 01253 775080. The ticket office is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, and open from 9am-12pm on Saturday!

Ticket News

Fleetwood Town

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