Bolton 1-1 Barnsley: Dion Charles calls off Nicky Cadden’s second-half strike on the 11th anniversary of the Trotters’ Premier League exit, to keep their Championship promotion hopes alive
- Bolton drew 1-1 with Barnsley in their League One play-off first leg
- Dion Charles scored his 21st of the season by nullifying Nicky Cadden’s strike
- Peterborough beat Sheffield four-man Wednesday in the other play-off semi-final
Sheffield’s nightmare experience on Wednesday the previous night scared both groups of players in the other League One play-off semi-final into their shells before the match even kicked off.
Both managers confessed their respective teams watched in disbelief as the Owls, heavy favorites for promotion all season before slipping into the play-offs, losing their first leg 4-0 at London Road.
It culminated in a tense and wary affair at Bolton in which Barnsley briefly took the lead through Nicky Cadden in the second half only for Dio Charles to win their 21st of the season, taking advantage of a goalkeeping error by Harry Isted .
Both managers were optimistic about their team’s chances and said Wednesday’s video had an effect.
“Players will have watched this game and subliminally (it affected them),” Barnsley boss Michael Duff said.
Dion Charles (pictured) scored the equalizer which gave Bolton a 1-1 draw against Barnsley
Nick Cadden (right) scored the opening game of the first leg of the Ligue 1 play-offs
The goal was Charles (right)’s 21st goal of the season for The Trotters, his 17th in the league
“They probably think it was going to be a close game anyway, but even more so with the result from the night before.”
‘You think you don’t want to be out of it.’
Bolton boss Ian Evatt said: “Maybe that result had a bit of an impact on us, but we just looked like we were playing in our shells, a bit safe in the first half. .”
“You always feel pressured against Barnsley because of the amount of set pieces they have, long throws into your box – it’s a territorial advantage and difficult to defend.
“Once their goal went into the shackles, we came alive, we had more possession and control and we got back into it very quickly, which was important.
“They will feel they are in a strong position, but we think we are.”
“It’s harder for them to be the home team, more pressure and we’re a dangerous team when the spaces get a little bigger.”
It comes as today marked the 11th anniversary of Bolton’s relegation from the Premier League
Ian Evatt’s side will now travel to Oakwell on Friday in a bid to secure promotion back to the Championship
With chances at a premium, Barnsley struck what appeared to be a vital shot when an Addam Phillips corner fell at the feet of Devante Cole and he guided the ball for Cadden to gently hit a crowd of players, just after the hour of play. .
The Wembley Songs were quickly choked up by Charles, who netted his 21st goal of the season when Randell Williams burst to the touchline and fired in a cross that Isted could only parry to the body of the Bolton striker.
Duff wasn’t too happy, saying: “You’re always disappointed to concede a goal. It was good wing play from Williams but it was a cross that got into Harry and knocked him down.
Even then, we had enough chances to win it. “But we have to do it again and the last time they came to our house they beat us 3-0 so there won’t be any eyeballing and slapping on the back.”
