Preview | Bolton Wanderers (A)

30 August 2022

The Alex will get their 2022-23 Papa John's Trophy campaign underway at Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday (7pm).

Alex Morris’ side head to the University of Bolton Stadium in good spirits after a strong performance at Bradford City, where a professional display earned a creditable 0-0 draw.

Now they will bid to get off to a positive start in Northern Group B, which also contains Tranmere Rovers and Leeds United Academy.

The Opposition

Bolton come into the fixture after a steady start to their League One campaign, which has seen them win two, draw two, and lose two so far.

After a valiant effort in the Carabao Cup last week against Aston Villa, a defeat at Plymouth on Saturday left the Trotters sitting 10^th in the standings.

The Gaffer

Wanderers’ manager Ian Evatt, 40, took the reins in July 2020, and led them to promotion back to League One in 2020-21.

Last season, the former Blackpool and Chesterfield defender, who achieved great success in his first managerial job with Barrow, guided the Lancashire side to a ninth-placed finish.

Fighting Talk

Alex Morris: "It’s a different type of game to approach. We’ve gone through who we’re going to select and we're looking forward to the challenge of facing a team that’s going to put out a strong side due to their squad depth.”

Bolton defender Jack Iredale: "Winning is a great habit to have and it’s a game we’re not going to be taking lightly. It's a game everyone is looking forward to.”

Team news

Alex Morris has reported no new fresh concerns but expects to still be without Aussie Lachlan Brook (ankle) and Rio Adebisi (foot). Christopher Long is closing in on match action but the game might have come too soon for him.

Bolton have no fresh injury concerns, though full-back Conor Bradley is only one yellow card away from suspension.

Head to Head

Bolton have the upper hand in the head-to-head battle, winning 14 out of the 26 fixtures between both clubs, with Crewe victorious on six occasions.

In the most recent meeting, the Trotters scored a late winner courtesy of Amadou Bakayoko in a 1-0 success at Mornflake Stadium last March.

Officials

Scott Oldham will be the man in the middle on Tuesday evening, having last officiated an Alex game in February 2022 against Oxford United.

He will be assisted by Lewis Raper and Helen Edwards, with Shaun Taylor acting as fourth official.

Elsewhere

Other fixtures in the Northern section of the draw on Tuesday evening are: Hartlepool v Harrogate Town; Morecambe v Everton U21; Shrewsbury v Wolves U21; Doncaster v Newcastle United U21; Derby v Grimsby; Mansfield v Manchester City U21; Fleetwood Town v Barrow; Burton Albion v Leicester City U21.

Ticket Details

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Can't Make The Game?

Crewe fans in the UK and around the world can watch the clash with Bolton live on iFollow.

An iFollow match pass for Crewe fixtures includes graphics and replays – all for just £10 (or local equivalent).

The action is complemented by commentary from the BBC Radio Stoke team of Graham McGarry and Peter Morse.

Click here to secure your iFollow match pass today and make sure you don’t miss a minute of the contest.

Alternatively, you can listen to LIVE commentary on iFollow - CLICK HERE to purchase an Audio Match Pass for just £2.50!

Match Previews

Match Reports

Match Report|Bolton 4 Crewe 1

30 August 2022

Defeat in the Northern Group B opener in Lancashire
Baker-Richardson notches his fifth goal of the season
Good experience for youngsters on a big stage

Crewe Alexandra slipped to a 4-1 defeat at Bolton Wanderers in their opening Papa John’s Trophy tie of the season.

Three goals in the final 12 minutes sealed it for the home side, as sub Dion Charles bagged a brace and Kieran Sadlier got on target.

That came after a first-half which had ended all square, when Courtney Baker-Richardson’s fifth goal of the season cancelled out Amadou Bakayoko’s opener.

It was a disappointing end to a tough night for The Railwaymen, but they will regroup and go again when League Two football returns with the visit of Stevenage on Saturday.

Alex Morris made eight changes to the side that drew at Bradford at the weekend, giving second career starts to youngsters Charlie Finney and Joel Tabiner.

Only Kelvin Mellor, Zac Williams and Baker-Richardson survived in the starting 11.

Bolton boss Ian Evatt also made eight changes, but his side still boasted plenty of quality and experience with the likes of Josh Sheehan and Will Aimson among them.

The home side hit the front on five minutes when Mellor did well to cut out a Gethin Jones cross but then lost the ball, and Bakayoko curled home from 12 yards.

But Crewe hit back on 16 minutes when Oliver Finney crossed from the left and Baker-Richardson got in front of keeper Joel Dixon and turned the ball home.

Keeper Dave Richards, named captain on his first start of the season, made a point-blank save to deny Bakayoko as Bolton pressed.

Richards made another good stop from Dapo Afolayan and Baker-Richardson cleared off the line, as the visitors put their bodies on the line to go in 1-1 at the break.

Crewe made two changes at the break and switched to a back three, to match Bolton’s system.

It had the desired effect, as The Railwaymen were able to restrict the flow of attacks and limit chances conceded.

Sub Charles rode a couple of challenges before blasting wide, and Williams made a super block from sub Elias Kachunga at the far post.

But on 78 minutes Charles picked up possession and sped forward before rounding Richards and slotting in for 2-1.

Suddenly, Richards was working overtime and he made three super saves in as many minutes as the hosts threatened to run away with it.

They got a third on 87 minutes when Sadlier played a slick give-and-go before curling confidently home from inside the box.

And it was 4-1 on 89 minutes when Charles slid in at the far post to tap in an accurate cross from the left.

Bolton (3-4-3): Dixon; Aimson, Johnston, Toal (Santos, 61); Jones (Bradley, 46), Thomason, Sheehan (Williams, 61), Iredale; Afolayan (Charles, 61), Bakayoko (Kachunga, 61), Sadlier.

Subs not used: Williams, Morley, Dempsey.

Booked: None.

Crewe (4-3-3): Richards; Mellor (Offord, 46), Sass-Davies, Williams, C Finney; Griffiths (Kingm 76, O Finney (Ainley, 76), Leshabela; Sambou, Baker-Richardson (Agyei 46), Tabiner.

Subs not used: Okonkwo, McDonald, Thomas.

Booked: Aimson.

Referee: Scott Oldham.