Bolton Wanderers don return to Championship after seven years of suffering for wilderness, as dem defeat Stockport County 4-1 for Wembley play-off final. Di match wey bin take place for scorching 30-degree heat bin see Bolton come from behind to win di trophy.
Ruben Rodrigues open scoring for Bolton for third minute after Stockport goalkeeper Corey Addai bin make mistake, parrying Thierry Gale shot into path of Mason Burstow, wey pull ball back for Rodrigues to slot home. Stockport bin tink dem don equalize through Adama Sidibeh, but VAR bin chalk am off because Sidibeh bin foul George Johnston for build-up.
However, Sidibeh no gree rest, and for 29th minute, he bin flick header from Josh Dacres-Cogley cross to level di score. Di first half bin end 1-1, with both sides dey struggle for di heat.
Second half, Bolton bin come out stronger. Kyle Wootton own goal for 53rd minute put Bolton back front, as Addai bin fail to handle Sam Dalby ball across goal, palming am onto Wootton wey no fit avoid scoring against im own net. Dalby later bin seal victory for 68th minute with scissor kick finish from John McAtee header.
Late drama bin come when Dacres-Cogley bin pull Ibrahim Cissoko hair inside box, referee bin show am red card after VAR check, and Rodrigues bin convert di penalty for stoppage time to make am 4-1.
Bolton boss Steven Schumacher, wey bin take over from Ian Evatt last year, bin lead di club back to Championship. He bin say: ‘It was really difficult, especially in di first half, di heat and di conditions. Second half, I thought we were brilliant.’
For Stockport, dis na second Wembley defeat dis season, after dem lose to Luton Town for EFL Trophy final. Di Hatters bin miss out on chance to bring second-tier football back to Edgeley Park for first time in 24 years. Stockport boss Dave Challinor, wey don win seven promotions for 16 seasons, go face summer of reflection.
Bolton fans wey bin pack 28,000-plus for Wembley bin celebrate as dia team lift di trophy. Di club bin spend seven years for League One since relegation for 2019, and dis promotion na big achievement under chairman Sharon Brittan, wey bin receive warm applause before kick-off.
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