Bolton won the semi-final second leg in Bradford 1-0 to advance to the Sky Bet League 1 play-off final. Xavier Simmons scored the only goal for a 2-0 aggregate victory.
For the most part, it was a volatile and difficult encounter at Valley Parade, where opportunities were invaluable. It took 68 minutes for the first shot on target.
The decisive moment of the game came 68 seconds into the second half.
Bolton players celebrate Xavier Simmons’ late goal to seal a 2-0 aggregate win against Bradford
Bantams forward Kayden Jackson was ruled offside when he took a header, and the ensuing counter-attack allowed Xavier Simmons to slam home to put the game out of reach.
Stephen Schumacher’s side will take on Stockport at Wembley on Sunday 24th May for a place in the Sky Bet Championship.
Bolton reach second play-off final in three seasons
Bolton dominated throughout the first half, taking eight shots. At times they played as if they were the home team. However, their xG values totaled just 0.66, and none of them hit the mark.
Despite needing just one more goal to equalize, Bradford lacked the urgency they needed before the break and were kept goalless for over 15 minutes after the break in spectacular fashion.
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Bolton’s Jack Bonham makes a great save to keep the score at 0-0 in the play-off semi-final against Bradford
The ball was rolled to Max Power, who fired a powerful first strike from the edge of the box that looked like it would head towards goal, but goalkeeper Jack Bonham acrobatically tipped the ball onto the crossbar.
The pressure increased for the hosts and it looked like they might have leveled the score on aggregate when Cayden Jackson headed home after Nick Powell’s header from the right-hand corner was blocked by Bonham. However, the latter was deflected offside and the goal did not count.
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Xavier Simmons wins Bolton’s play-off semi-final against Bradford, 2-0 on aggregate.
Just 68 seconds later, Bolton landed a powerful punch on his opponent. The counter attack was quick and Simmons’ finish was outstanding. With just nine minutes of the remaining 90, it was a step too far for Bradford to find a way back.
“A truly professional performance from Bolton”
Jobi McAnuff of Sky Sports:
“The disappointing thing from Bradford’s point of view was how enthusiastic they were about the game. With a little bit of adjustment in the second half they looked a lot better, but Bolton rose to the moment.”
“The goal stopped it. It was a really professional performance from Bolton. But that’s how you get through the play-offs and into the final.”
Alexander: I have to feel the pain, but I’m very proud of my team
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After the Bantams’ season ended with a play-off defeat to Bolton, Bradford City manager Graham Alexander praised the club’s players and supporters this season.
Bradford manager Graham Alexander told Sky Sports:
“I’ve told the players that in almost 40 years of football, I’ve never seen a supporter acknowledge a team’s effort after a losing game. That’s because of the special feeling we have for this club – the players, their work ethic, their dedication to the game. If you’re going to go down, swing like that and go down.”
“I thought that was my team’s performance. This is tough because we wanted to win. But that scene at the end will stay with me for a long time.”
“I’ve been here so far with the way we behaved and the way we committed and the players this season have been really good. To finish fourth and go toe-to-toe with a club like Bolton after getting promoted last season is recognition from the supporters and they’re not stupid. They know what they’re looking at.”
“I’m proud of everyone involved in our club today, but we have to feel the pain. It’s as simple as that.”
Schumacher: That was stressful, very stressful!
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Bolton manager Stephen Schumacher shares his thoughts after ‘nervous’ win over Bradford in play-off semi-final
Bolton head coach Stephen Schumacher told Sky Sports:
“It’s stressful! It’s very stressful. I thought it was a close game, but Bradford were really good in the second half. Credit to them. They had a really good season.”
“Graham (Alexander) can be proud of his team. Thankfully it was a close game and we came out on top. We wanted to play in our usual style but Bradford’s pressure, intensity and it was difficult to find space.”
“We had one or two chances in the first half, but we were just too careless in the second half. The one time we showed composure we went in and Shabu (Simmons) pushed it in.”
