MATCH PREVIEW | CARDIFF CITY v BOLTON WANDERERS
Match Previews
21st April
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Date: Saturday, 23rd April 2016, 3pm K.O.
Cardiff face recently relegated Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, in the Bluebirds’ penultimate home fixture of the season.
Help us celebrate Foundation Day 2016 this weekend - with two free tickets for 2016/17 Season Ticket Holders!
THE OPPOSITION
Following a hugely disappointing season, Bolton Wanderers’ relegation was confirmed on April 9th with a 4-1 defeat at Derby County. The Trotters have struggled throughout the campaign, recording only four wins, and conceding the most goals out of all twenty-four teams. Caretaker boss Jimmy Phillips has been in charge of the side since March 15th, following the sacking of Neil Lennon.
A shining light in Bolton’s season has been hot prospect Zach Clough, who leads the Bolton goal-scoring charts, with six League strikes. Fellow striker Gary Madine has five, whilst Stephen Dobbie is on three. Defender Dean Moxey leads the way in terms of assists, with five.
Having been relegated to the third tier for the first time since 1993, Bolton will now be hoping to end this season on a positive note, before beginning the rebuilding process in hope of a speedy return to the Championship.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
A trio of Bluebirds featured for Bolton last season; with Kevin McNaughton, Joe Mason and Adam le Fondre playing at the Macron Stadium. Cardiff legend McNaughton spent the whole season with the Trotters, whilst Mason and le Fondre had half-season spells each.
Former player and current Goalkeeping Coach Martyn Margetson, who made 32 City appearances, had a loan spell at Bolton in 1994. While others, including Michael Ricketts, Heidar Helguson and Nathan Blake have also starred for both sides.
MEMORABLE MEETING
While Anthony Pilkington's eightieth minute winner secured a 3-2 win for the Bluebirds at the Macron Stadium this season, we look back at another memorable 3-2 win for City...
Cardiff City 3 – 2 Bolton Wanderers
Ninian Park, 9th October 1976
Football League Second Division
A late goal from Tony Evans earned Cardiff the win, after they fought back from 0-2 down against the Trotters.
With only three minutes gone at Ninian Park, Bolton took the lead, through a Paul Jones penalty. With the half-ticking to a close, Wanderers scored another goal, with Steve Taylor finding the back of the net.
However, the Bluebirds pulled one back just before half time, with a penalty of their own. Australian striker Adrian Alston dispatched the spot kick, making it 1-2 at the break.
With seventy-eight minutes gone, John Buchanan put Cardiff back on level terms, making for an exciting finale. And indeed, momentum swung in favour of the Bluebirds, who got the winner six minutes from time.
Tony Evans, who played over 100 times for City, was on hand to snatch the winner – one of forty-seven goals he scored for Cardiff. The final whistle propelled Cardiff up to 19th in the table, not too far away from their end of season finish of eighteenth. The '76-77 season did end with silverware though - another Welsh Cup to add to the Cardiff collection.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
TICKETS: Online: www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcity Phone:
0845 345 1400
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from City vs Bolton.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from CCS will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC.
*Search ‘Cardiff City’ on the App Store and Google Play Store to view Cardiff City Player HD on smart phones.
