Kyle Dempsey and John McAtee scored in a 2-0 success.
Bolton Wanderers kept their momentum rolling with a commanding 2-0 victory over Crawley Town, who were playing under interim management following Scott Lindsey’s departure to MK Dons earlier in the week. Despite periods of decent possession, Crawley’s lack of a cutting edge left them winless in five consecutive league games, while Bolton showed their resilience, bagging two crucial goals to claim three points on the road.
Dempsey Strikes Early to Set the Tone
Bolton wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with Kyle Dempsey opening the tally just five minutes into the game. The midfielder, who was recalled to the starting lineup, made his mark with a thunderous finish from a well-taken corner delivered by Josh Sheehan. This was Dempsey’s second goal of the season, and it came at a critical moment for Bolton, allowing them to seize control early.
The visitors continued to press forward, as Dion Charles stormed down the field in a breakaway move, unleashing a powerful shot that forced Crawley goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott into a sharp save, pushing the effort around the post. Bolton’s offensive pressure was relentless, leaving Crawley’s defense scrambling to keep up with the pace and precision of their attacks.
Crawley’s Struggles and Missed Opportunities
Crawley Town entered the match under interim boss Ben Gladwin, who had publicly declared his focus was on the current transition rather than chasing the permanent managerial role. While Crawley showed flashes of promise, particularly in their possession play, they struggled to convert their opportunities into genuine threats. The absence of a cutting edge in front of goal continued to plague the Red Devils, who now find themselves entrenched in a five-game winless streak.
Despite having control of the ball at times, Crawley rarely tested Bolton’s defense. Their best efforts were met with frustration, and it was clear that they were feeling the absence of strong leadership on the touchline. Crawley’s lone shot on target lacked the conviction to trouble Bolton, highlighting their ongoing issues in attack.
In a moment of fortune for Crawley, Bolton nearly doubled their lead just before halftime when Josh Dacres-Cogley set up Dempsey for a fierce shot that ricocheted off the underside of the bar. The home fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as the ball failed to cross the line, keeping the deficit to just one going into the break.
Bolton Seals Victory Late On
As Crawley struggled to find any rhythm, Bolton continued to push for a second goal. Their persistence was nearly rewarded when Ricardo Santos saw his goal-bound header tipped over the bar by a flying save from Wollacott. The Crawley keeper did his best to keep his side in the game, but the relentless pressure from Bolton eventually paid off.
Substitute John McAtee made an instant impact after coming on, securing Bolton’s second goal in the 78th minute. In a swift counter-attack, McAtee fired into the roof of the net, putting the game beyond Crawley’s reach. The strike capped off an excellent team performance and solidified Bolton’s second consecutive league victory, much to the delight of manager Ian Evatt, who had earlier been booked for protesting a refereeing decision.
The win was a timely boost for Bolton, who continue their climb up the table with another strong performance. While Crawley remain in a state of flux, they’ll need to quickly find answers to their struggles if they hope to turn their season around.
Crawley’s Interim Manager Looks to the Future
Speaking after the match, interim boss Ben Gladwin reiterated that his focus remained on guiding the team through this transition. “We had good spells of possession, but we lacked the final touch. It’s something we’ll work on, and we’ll take it one game at a time.”
The Crawley faithful will be hoping that stability is restored soon, as the club searches for a new permanent manager. With their winless run continuing, the pressure is on for Crawley to find a solution to their offensive woes and regain their footing in the league.
Bolton's Form on the Rise
For Bolton, this result adds to a growing sense of optimism. Back-to-back league wins have bolstered their promotion hopes, and the squad appears to be hitting their stride at the right time. With key players like Dempsey and Charles firing on all cylinders and substitutes like McAtee making an impact, manager Ian Evatt has reason to be confident about the path ahead.
With this latest victory, Bolton’s upward trajectory continues, and they will be eager to build on their success in the coming fixtures. As for Crawley, the search for solutions and stability continues in what promises to be a critical period for the club.
