Bolton Wanderers ease to win over Wimbledon

Bolton Wanderers 3 - 0 AFC Wimbledon

Bolton ended a sequence of four successive 1-1 draws in League One with a convincing victory over nine-man AFC Wimbledon.

Author | Amy W

Stadium | Toughsheet Community Stadium

The visitors almost struck first when Matty Stevens’ header brushed the post with goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe beaten. Bolton soon made them pay as Mason Burstow reacted quickly to turn in his fourth goal of the season after Chris Forino’s header from Aaron Morley’s free-kick had come back off the upright.

The match swung further in Bolton’s favour early in the second half when Marcus Browne was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Max Conway. Within three minutes, Amario Cozier-Duberry doubled the lead with a precise curling finish from a tight angle. Joel Randall added a third, deflecting Conway’s strike beyond Nathan Bishop.

Bolton pressed for more, only to be denied by Bishop who made fine saves from Ibrahim Cissoko, Richard Taylor and Xavier Simons. Wimbledon’s frustration was compounded in stoppage time when Joe Lewis received a second yellow card, rounding off a grim afternoon for the visitors.

Despite recent dropped points, Bolton are now unbeaten in eight games across three competitions (bar a penalty shoot-out exit from the Carabao Cup) with Schumacher pleased that run now shows another win. 

Best fan reaction

Paul, a Bolton Season Ticket holder, told us: “I didn't think we played as well today. Certainly, in the first half, I thought it was a little slow and scruffy at times from both teams, but it just highlights the importance of scoring from set plays.”

James added: “A good win, even if it wasn’t the best performance at times. We’re in a decent position in the league, certainly enough to have a decent push for the play-offs.”