PREVIEW Bolton Wanderers v Oxford United

A full guide to Saturday's Sky Bet League 1 game

20 August 2021

Oxford United travel to Bolton tomorrow in Sky Bet League 1, looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season

The U's kicked off the new season with a draw at Cambridge but then, having made progress in the Carabao Cup at Burton, they won back to back home games against Charlton and Crewe to leave them with seven points from a possible nine.

TEAM NEWS
United have picked up more than their fair share of injuries so far but mostly to right backs! Sam Long, Anthony Forde, Jamie Hanson and Ryan Williams have all been on the treatment table and Gavin Whyte filled in as a right wing back last game after Williams limped off. Forde and Williams could be available while Long is a couple of weeks away from a return and Hanson will step up training next week after a dislocated shoulder

Captain Elliott Moore is expected to be available after a chest injury while Joel Cooper could feature after his two goals for the Under 21s in midweek

See Karl previewing the game in iFollow right now where we have Elliott Moore as our guest in the new look Preview Show.

The Gaffer

Karl Robinson Bolton away

Look after each other...

Tickets

Women play Chichester away

THE OPPOSITION
Captain Antoni Sarcevic believes Bolton Wanderers can make an impact after winning promotion last season

"People knowi we’re a force" he said "knowing we can take care of our business, but doing it quietly and just keep doing what we are doing"

“It’s exciting. They are the games you want to play in and why we worked so hard for promotion. It’s (Oxford) another team that did well last year but anyone can beat anyone. It is the league to watch.

TICKETS
We have an allocation of 1,881. Tickets are on sale online HERE and in person and by telephone on 01865 337533

On the day, away fans can buy directly from the turnstiles at Block E of the Franking Sense South Stand, from 1.45pm onwards. Tickets will be sold on a cash only basis and ticket prices do not increase on the day.

Any collections or duplicate requests will need to be collected from the collections windows at the main Ticket Office, which is located on the east side of the University of Bolton Stadium, adjacent to the club store.

Prices

Adults: £23
Over 65’s: £18*
Under 23’s: £18*
Under 18’s: £13*
Under 12’s: £8*

*Please note that all concessions must have proof of age to show at the turnstiles when entering. Those unable to provide proof will be asked to upgrade their ticket at the ticket office.

Disabled Tickets
We have 10 Wheelchair spaces available at the equivalent category price plus carer free of charge. Please call the Ticket Office on 01865 337533 to book.

London Road Coaches

Depart: Stadium 9:15 prompt / Kidlington (Sainsbury's) 9:30 prompt

Adult LRC member: £24
Adult non-member: £26
Under 18 LRC member: £22
Under 18 non-member: £24

Call 01865 337533 to book or click HERE

Parking at the Stadium

Car parking facilities for away supporters are available at the University of Bolton Stadium payable on entry priced at £8 per car, £12 per minibus and £20 per coach.

MEN IN BLACK
United will be wearing their brand-new black away kit for the first time tomorrow. CLICK HERE to pre-order any of the new shirts this season

FOLLOW IT LIVE
If you can't get to the game then you can still see/hear it live in iFollow depending where you are. In the UK you can hear the whole game thanks to our friends at BBC Oxford Sport, while overseas fans can see the game LIVE, complete with the BBC's commentary

We have coverage on Twitter, Instagram and a report and Gallery right here on the final whistle.

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Match Reports

REPORT Bolton Wanderers 2 Oxford United 1

Unbeaten start ends at Bolton. Full time report.

21 August 2021

Oxford United's unbeaten start to the season was ended by Bolton Wanderers this afternoon in a thoroughly entertaining encounter at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Leading through Matty Taylor's first goal of the season, United were pegged back by a goal from Dapo Afolayan on the stroke of half time and then beaten by a goal from Eoin Doyle in the second half, despite a host of chances at both ends.

It may have looked like a chess game but in fact it was as open a game as you are likely to see all season.

United, in their new black away kit for the first time against the white-shirted home side, opted for Sam Winnall and Taylor to start as a two with Gavin Whyte just behind and after 12 minutes it looked like a masterstroke when Winnall clipped a superb ball forward and Taylor was in behind a home side stepping up and trying to play offside. Keeper Joel Dixon came to meet him, but Taylor rounded him then strolled towards goal to tap home for his first of the season - six goals, six scorers so far this season for the U's.

210821 bolton (6).jpg

Bolton had their moments; a free kick thudded into a stout wall when Jordan Thorniley passed back to the sliding Jack Stevens and Afolayan dragged an effort wide after 27, but United were just as dangerous at the other end and Whyte’s ability to run in behind the defence was causing all sorts of problems behind the clever movement of Taylor and Winnall.

Gradually though, the game started to settle and Bolton adjusted to United’s shape. Had United held out til half time and been able to group then who knows? Instead, on 44 minutes they were back to square one when the dangerous Afolayan found space on the edge of the box and curled a fine effort beyond the dive of Stevens to make it 1-1 at the break.

210821 bolton (3).jpg

The heavens opened on a grey Lancashire afternoon but United kept their heads up and started the second half in control of the game. Whyte, Brannagan, Sykes and Taylor (twice) all went close and things looked promising, which is when you are at your most vulnerable...

63 minutes on the clock and a corner conceded. Simple ball in, the dangerous Doyle getting in front of two men to head home and United behind for the first time this season.

Back they came. Marcus McGuane's first touch after replacing the busy Sykes was a tantalising cross that deserved a finish, Seddon smashed the resulting corner into the side-netting and United threw everything at it to try and get back on level terms.

It left gaps and the attack-minded home side went for a third goal rather than sit on their lead to make an already open game go even more end to end. Doyle should have killed the game but lobbed the ball wide of the far post as well as the closing Stevens, Nathan Holland was thrown on in place of Winnall, who had run himself into the ground. Corner after corner were lofted into the Bolton box and in injury time Holland danced to the line and cut the ball back only for Whyte to lift it agonisingly into the away end with the goal gaping in front of him.

Defeat then, but United have played worse than today and won already this season so no need for despair.

Now it is all about the response.

See you at QPR on Tuesday...

Att: 15,073
Away: 814

Report by Chris Williams
Pictures: Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds, Darrell Fisher and Rex Shutterstock

Match Reports

Ticket News

Bolton Away Tickets

Details of our away trip to the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday

18 August 2021

Tickets remain on sale for Oxford United's trip to Bolton Wanderers.

Bolton Wanderers

Sky Bet League 1 | Saturday 21st August | 3pm

We have an allocation of 1,881. Oxford supporters are strongly advised to purchase in advance as there may not be any tickets available on the day.

Tickets are on sale online HERE and in person and by telephone on 01865 337533

Tickets are no longer being posted but are available to personal callers or for collection from the Oxford United ticket office until 3pm Friday 20th August.

Prices

Adults: £23
Over 65’s: £18*
Under 23’s: £18*
Under 18’s: £13*
Under 12’s: £8*

*Please note that all concessions must have proof of age to show at the turnstiles when entering. Those unable to provide proof will be asked to upgrade their ticket at the ticket office.

Disabled Tickets
We have 10 Wheelchair spaces available at the equivalent category price plus carer free of charge. Please call the Ticket Office on 01865 337533 to book.

London Road Coaches

Depart: Stadium 9:15 prompt / Kidlington (Sainsbury's) 9:30 prompt

Adult LRC member: £24

Adult non-member: £26

Under 18 LRC member: £22

Under 18 non-member: £24

Call 01865 337533 to book or click HERE

All supporters travelling with the LRC are asked/requested to follow the LRC guidance and advice below:

Stay at home if you, or anyone you live with has received a positive Covid-19 test result or are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms (a high temperature, new and persistent cough, or a loss of/change in sense of taste or smell), even if the symptoms are mild.

Stay at home if you need to self-isolate because you have symptoms, have recently tested positive or have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace* or are required to isolate after travel.

Supporters should have respect for their fellow passengers and the LRC will not tolerate any misbehaviour traveling to, from or at matches.

Under-14s must be accompanied by a responsible adult to travel on LRC transport.

No alcohol is permitted on the coaches.

Although face covering onboard a coach is no longer a legal requirement, the LRC and Motts require a face covering to be worn while boarding/alighting and moving around the vehicle. It is recommended that supporters continue to wear a face covering when seated unless eating or drinking.

It is allowed to use every seat, without social distancing on coaches in England, however, as a trial for away trips in August, if requested when booking we will offer solo passengers the opportunity to sit on their own where possible. To book a solo seat passengers must book in person or via telephone.

To join the London Road Travel Club or to enquire about or book transport to away games call in at the ticket office or call 01865 337533.

*Since 16the August, if you have been fully vaccinated you are exempt from the requirement to self-isolate if you are a contact of a positive case.

Parking at the Stadium

Car parking facilities for away supporters are available at the University of Bolton Stadium payable on entry priced at £8 per car, £12 per minibus and £20 per coach.