The first leg at University of Bolton Stadium six days ago ended in a 1-1 draw after Nicky Cadden's 63rd-minute opener was canceled out by Bolton striker Dion Charles four minutes later.
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Barnsley will host Bolton Wanderers in the second leg of their League One semi-final playoff tie at Oakwell on Friday night. The first leg at University of Bolton Stadium six days ago ended in a 1-1 draw. Following a goalless opening 45 minutes, Nicky Cadden put the Tykes ahead three minutes into the second-half, but Dion Charles equalised four minutes later to set up a winner takes all second leg in South Yorkshire. Barnsley were clearly the better side in Horwich as Michael Duff’s men created 19 goal-scoring opportunities with five shots on target. Despite having 62% ball possession, the Wanderers recorded only one shot on target in the entire ninety minutes of football.
🗣️ “𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.”
Ian Evatt speaks ahead of Friday’s Play-Off semi-final second leg…#bwfc
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) May 17, 2023
Barnsley head into Friday’s game on a four-game winless streak, while taking just one point from their final three third-tier games of the season. After securing their 26th league-win of the season against Oxford United last month, the Tykes got thrashed 3-0 by Ipswich Town before playing out a thrilling 4-4 draw away to MK Dons, and then ended their league-campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Peterborough United. Meanwhile, on a positive note, Duff’s side have won nine of their last 11 home league-matches, so Barnsley will be hopeful of booking their place in the playoff final at Wembley.
Bolton, on the other hand, are undefeated in their last six away games in the League One, while winning three of those matches. The Whites managed to secure a dominant 3-0 win against Barnsley in their last visit to Oakwell back in January and will enter the contest on the back of a far better form than the Tykes, having lost only one of their last ten matches, with five wins and four clean sheets coming in their final nine regular season outings. Charles Dion will be Bolton’s main threat going forward as the 27-year-old is their top goal-scorer this season with 18 scalps to his name, while Victor Adeboyejo, who has scored 14 third tier- goals for the Wanderers, is more than capable of coming off the bench and delivering the goods.
Barnsley probable starting lineup: Isted, Thomas, Andersen, Kitching, Williams, Phillips, Connell, Kane, Cadden, Tedic, Cole
Bolton probable starting lineup: Trafford, Toal, Santos, Johnston, Bradley, Sheehan, Morley, Williams, Dempsey, Kachunga, Charles
Barnsley
| Opponents | Score |
| Bolton | 1-1 (D) |
| Peterborough | 0-2 (L) |
| MK Dons | 4-4 (D) |
| Ipswich | 0-3 (L) |
| Oxford United | 2-0 (W) |
Bolton Wanderers
| Opponents | Score |
| Barnsley | 1-1 (D) |
| Bristol Rovers | 2-3 (W) |
| Fleetwood | 2-0 (W) |
| Accrington | 0-1 (L) |
| Shrewsbury | 1-0 (W) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Bolton draw Barnsley | 1-1 |
| Bolton beat Barnsley | 0-3 |
| Barnsley beat Bolton | 1-2 |
| Bolton draw Barnsley | 0-0 |
| Bolton beat Barnsley | 1-0 |
The League One semi-final playoff match between Barnsley and Bolton Wanderers will take place at Oakwell on Saturday at 12:30 am IST.
| Barnsley vs Bolton | Key Details |
| Date | May 19 (Friday) |
| Venue | Oakwell |
| Kickoff time in UK | 8:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 12:30 am (Friday) |
Football fans in the UK can catch the live action via Sky Sports Football, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Go Extra, Sky Sports Main Event and Talk sport 2 Radio UK.
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