Match Preview: Bolton Wanderers

22 January 2021

Tranmere Rovers entertain Bolton Wanderers this weekend at Prenton Park in a 3pm kick off.

Rovers come into the game off the back of an impressive victory against Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night and will be looking to build on those three points. That win moved Tranmere up to 11th in the table, four points outside of the play offs with a game in hand.

Bolton currently sit 17th in Sky Bet League Two, four points behind Rovers having played a game more. Their form in the last six games reads as one win, two losses and three draws.

Team news

Keith Hill will discuss the latest team news in his Friday afternoon press conference which will be available to watch here.

Match officials

Referee: Neil Hair

Assistant referees: Ollie Williams and Steven Plane

Fourth Official: David Hunt

One to watch

Striker, Eoin Doyle.

The Irishman signed for Bolton and made the drop back down to Sky Bet League Two following a prolific and promotion winning season with Swindon Town as he scored 25 goals for the Robins.

The 32 year old has plied his trade at the likes of Portsmouth, Preston North End and Cardiff City in the past.

This season he has netted nine times with his most recent goal coming last time out against Cheltenham Town. Last year’s top scorer in this league will be looking to add to that tally on Saturday.

Matchday Programme

Tranmere Rovers' matchday programme is available to purchase ahead of this weekend's game against Bolton Wanderers.

The programme, priced at just £2, includes lots of fantastic features, with both the Chairman and Keith Hill included.

This week's edition is slightly different, however, with it being a combined programme with Tuesday night's match vs Harrogate Town.

So you can also get a quick preview of our opposition on Tuesday night! Please CLICK HERE to purchase yours!

Match coverage

The game will be streamed live on iFollow and match passes are on sale for just £10. CLICK HERE to get your match pass.

The TRFC radio team of Phill Wilkinson and Rob Edwards will be in place at Prenton Park to provide live updates on proceedings.

Please note season ticket holders do automatically receive home games on their iFollow accounts and will not have to pay for this fixture.

Alternatively, you can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.

Twitter: @tranmererovers

Facebook: @trfcofficial

Instagram: @tranmererovers

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Tranmere 2-1 Bolton

23 January 2021

Goals from Danny Lloyd and James Vaughan ensured a 2-1 win for Tranmere Rovers against Bolton Wanderers at Prenton Park.

The visitors, who went down to ten men, halved the deficit through their captain, Antoni Sarcevic, but Rovers held on to a deserved three points and a league double for Keith Hill’s men over Bolton.

Tranmere kept an unchanged line up following the win against Forest Green for the clash against BWFC.

New signing Nya Kirby was on the bench, taking the place of youngster Kyle Hayde.

Rovers made a stunning start against the Greater Manchester outfit and were ahead within three minutes as a cross from former Bolton man Liam Feeney wasn’t dealt with and Lloyd was on hand to hit a first time strike from the edge of the box past Matt Gilks.

Tranmere were comfortable after Lloyd’s strike hit the back of the net, and next threatened in the 17th minute as Otis Khan struck from 20-yards over the cross bar.

Bolton first meaningful shot on goal came in the 22nd minute of play, captain Antoni Sarcevic was unable to test his former Fleetwood team mate, Scott Davies, from range.

Wanderers started to get more of a handle on the game, and started to test the Rovers defence, with a number of important blocks from white shirts. On the 30 minute mark, Eoin Doyle clipped a shot over the cross bar.

Into the second half, and a back post free-kick nearly got Tranmere a second, as Feeney whipped the ball in but Vaughan couldn’t get enough of a connection to test Gilks.

However, in the 52nd minute, dangerman Feeney broke into penalty box and as he shot, which forced Gilks into an excellent save, Ryan Delaney clattered into our number 19, giving referee Neil Hair a penalty kick.

Rovers doubled their advantage as Vaughan stepped up to the mark and netted his 12th league goal of the campaign, and his second penalty against Bolton this season.

On his 801st career appearance, Clarke nearly scored a stunning goal when he broke from the back to hit a thunderous effort, which was well stopped by Gilks.

But moments later, in the 66th minute, Bolton pulled one back as Sarcevic tapped home from close range after Rovers didn’t deal with a low cross.

An instant reaction saw Kirby come on for his debut, after replacing former Bolton youngster Woolery.

Bolton were putting the pressure on and a fabulous stop from Davies prevented an equaliser, saving from close range after a fierce shot from Wanderers sub Arthur Gnahoua.

Wanderers were pushing for that equaliser and Gnahoua again came within a whisker, striking wide from a Sarcevic pass.

Delaney’s afternoon went from bad to worse, after giving away the penalty, he elbowed Vaughan and was given a second yellow, so the centre half was giving his marching orders with 15 to play.

The second change for Rovers saw Keiron Morris come on for Lloyd, who grabbed the first goal of the match in the first three minutes. Morris’ introduction was in the 79th.

Stunning play from Feeney, as he won the ball, took on two players and travelled the length of the pitch to earn Rovers an opportunity, but Kirby hit over after a Vaughan knock down.

Davies was again the hero in goal, after a great display last Tuesday vs Forest Green, the captain was alert to save from BWFC sub Alex Baptiste.

Bolton were making Tranmere work for their three points with the ten men pilling on the pressure during the six minutes of added time but Rovers held on to seal the win.

Tranmere: Davies, Khan, Clarke, Monthe, MacDonald, Spearing, Lewis, Feeney, Woolery (Kirby 66), Lloyd (Morris 79), Vaughan. Unused subs: Murphy, Ray, Payne, Blackett-Taylor, Ferrier.

Our next game is at home to Harrogate Town on Tuesday night, 7pm kick-off, and is live on iFollow to watch for £10. To purchase a match pass, please CLICK HERE.

The match report is sponsored by MAIN.