SKY BET LEAGUE 1
Saturday October 21st, 3.00pm
Toughsheet Stadium

BOLTON WANDERERS 2
Dion Charles 8
Randell Williams 16

NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Sam Hoskins 66

Attendance: 19,160 (750 Cobblers fans)

Bolton Wanderers: Nathan Baxter, Gethin Jones, George Thomason, Ricardo Santos, Josh Sheehan, Dion Charles (sub Dan Nlundulu 79), Josh Dacres-Cogley, Victor Adeboyejo (sub Jon Dadi Bodvarsson 79), Aaron Morley (sub Paris Maghoma 74), Eoin Toal, Randell Williams
Subs not used: Joel Coleman, Jack Iredale, Will Forrester, Cameron Jerome

Cobblers: Lee Burge, Akin Odimayo (sub Harvey Lintott 74), Patrick Brough (sub Ali Koiki 61), Sam Sherring, Manny Monthe, Marc Leonard, Shaun McWilliams, Mitch Pinnock, Sam Hoskins, Tyreece Simpson (sub Will Hondermarck 74), Kieron Bowie (sub Jordan Willis 46)
Subs not used: Max Thompson, Aaron McGowan, Ryan Haynes

Referee: Martin Coy

Booked:
Bolton Wanderers: none
Cobblers: Will Hondermarck (86)

Sent off:
Bolton Wanderers: none
Cobblers: none

Northampton Town travelled to Bolton Wanderers as they returned to League 1 action following the two week international break.

Tyreece Simpson replaced Louis Appere in the starting line-up, Appere missing out with a minor injury while Will Hondermarck was back on the bench. Ben Fox was unavailable for selection after picking up a knock in training. It was a landmark afternoon for Shaun McWilliams who made his 200th appearance for the club.

A minutes silence was held prior to kick off to remember the victims of the ongoing Israel/Palastine conflict.

Dion Charles put Bolton in front on 8 minutes, tapping home the rebound after Randell Williams' long range shot struck the post. Victor Adeboyejo then shot just wide and Lee Burge turned behind a shot across goal from Williams as Wanderers looked to make the most of a period of pressure.

Bolton were posing a real threat in attack and after cutting inside the Cobblers defence Randell Williams made it 2-0 with a composed finish.

Sam Hoskins had a shot deflected behind and Mitch Pinnock fired over from range as the Cobblers tried in vain to pull a goal back before half-time.

Jon Brady made a change at the break with Jordan Willis coming on for his debut in place of Kieron Bowie, Brady switching to a central back three.

Charles shot just over from the edge of the area and Burge saved from George Thomason as Bolton looked to increase their lead before the hour mark.

Ali Koiki replaced Patrick Brough in the Cobblers second change as Bolton continued to press, Manny Monthe making a terrific block to deny the home side a third goal. Hoskins then had a good chance but shot straight at Nathan Baxter.

Undeterred by that missed opportunity, Hoskins headed home a cross from Monthe moments later to get the Cobblers right back into the game midway through the second half. It was Hoskins sixth goal of the season and moved him up to joint tenth in the club’s all time scorers list.

Koiki almost played in Will Hondermarck who was on in a double change with Harvey Lintott and Hoskins flashed a header wide as the Cobblers pressed for an equaliser.

The 750 travelling fans were in fine voice as Baxter saved from Koiki to keep his side in front heading into stoppage time. Four additional minutes were signalled and despite the Cobblers best efforts Bolton clung on for the three points.

BOLTON MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (5) 8
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (1) 5
CORNERS: (3) 4
FOULS: (7) 13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2

COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 5
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 3
CORNERS: (2) 2
FOULS: (3) 11
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0