Bolton Wanderers secured their second consecutive victory under interim manager Julian Darby with a 3-1 triumph over Northampton Town at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on January 29, 2025. The win marked another step forward for the team as they aim for promotion, continuing their strong performance from the previous week.
Bolton's captain, George Thomason, opened the scoring just three minutes after the kick-off, displaying their attacking intent early on. Unfortunately for the home side, the joy of taking the lead was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Northampton's Liam Shaw, who recently transferred from Fleetwood, made his mark by equalizing, scoring his first goal since December 2022. Shaw's enthusiasm for finding the net exemplified his desire to prove himself after moving to make his mark at Northampton.
Despite Shaw's bright start, the match quickly turned against his team. By the end of the first half, he had inadvertently scored another goal, but this time it was for the opposition. Collins delivered a dangerous cross, leading to Shaw scoring an own goal, giving Bolton the lead once again. Such moments are often pivotal in matches, and this one was no different. This unfortunate stroke of bad luck pretty much dashed any hopes the Cobblers had of getting back on level terms.
The second half saw chances for both sides, with Thomason being denied by the impressive goalkeeper Nik Tzanev, who managed to keep the scoreline respectable for Northampton. Yet, Collins, who was proving to be the standout player of the match, sealed the victory for Bolton with his goal in the 83rd minute. His late strike, which rifled home after good build-up play, not only affirmed his status as the team’s top scorer but also provided Darby with an impressive record of two wins out of two.
Darby stepped up as interim boss after Ian Evatt's departure, and with performances like this, he could have left quite the legacy should he be replaced soon. It is expected, though, he will make way for Steven Schumacher, who is currently favored to take over the managerial position permanently. Should Schumacher assume the role, he would lead Bolton, who is currently contending for a playoff place, separated only by goal difference.
The match was notable for Kevin Nolan, who was back at his former club for the first time since November 2010. Managing Northampton Town, his return added another layer of complexity to the game, as he sought to produce positive results against his old team. While the final score left Nolan and his players with much to ponder, Bolton's performance would certainly lend momentum to watching fans and future matches.
Reflecting on the game, it is clear Bolton Wanderers are poised for potential success this season, especially if they can maintain the momentum built over the past two matches. With positive changes possibly on the horizon with Schumacher stepping in, both players and fans will hope this is just the beginning of enhancing the club’s prospects.