WANDERERS (3-5-2).
NATHAN BAXTER…7.
Tricky night for goalkeepers but Baxter’s handling was exemplary. A few awkward clearances but nothing he wouldn’t have expected in the conditions.
EOIN TOAL…7.
Implicated in the late slip but had otherwise had a solid night. Scored the scrappiest goal of the four but won’t matter to him a jot.
RICARDO SANTOS…8.
All eyes were on him after the revelations of abuse aimed at him and his family – but the support he got on the night was representative of the vast majority. Played well.
GEORGE JOHNSTON…7.5.
Able to show lots of that defensive grit when the ball almost always looked like it was there to be won. A few quality passes split the home defence too.
JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…8.
Been a couple of very positive weeks for the wing-back, who has helped lead by example in Bolton’s early-season revival.
JOSH SHEEHAN…7.5.
For the first hour he dropped into spaces that the Cobblers simply couldn’t find, producing some quality on the ball.
KYLE DEMPSEY…7.
Full of running and actually unlucky not to have scored on the night, having whizzed a couple of shots narrowly wide from distance.
GEORGE THOMASON…7.
Took his goal superbly, which was the perfect riposte to what had happened on that very ground last season. Still just going about his business as skipper.
SZABI SCHON…8.
Best game since signing for the club. Produced a marvellous ball for McAtee’s opener and always provided an outlet on the left.
AARON COLLINS…7.
Was always looking to pass and probe, and on another night might have helped himself to a goal as well.
JOHN MCATEE…8.
Said he didn’t mind getting down and dirty – and that’s exactly what he did with an early goal and an all-action performance.
Subs: Charles 71 (for McAtee), Adeboyejo 71 (for Collins), Matete 74 (for Dempsey), Arfield 74 (for Thomason), Williams 80 (for Schon).
Not used: Lolos, Southwood.
Northampton Town (4-4-2) – Burge; Odimayo, Baldwin, Guthrie, Mbete; Sowerby, McGeehan, Chouchane, Fosu-Henry; Pinnock, Roberts.
Subs: Eaves 62 (for Odimayo), Hoskins 62 (for Fosu), McCarron 69 (for Chouchane), Willis 75 (for Mbete), McGowan 75 (for Roberts).
Not used: Fox, Tzanev.
Referee: Matt Corlett 7/10 – Hard to read at times but he exercised some restraint knowing the conditions were making things difficult for the players.
Attendance: 5,730 (633)
MAN OF THE MATCH – John McAtee.
Notable mentions for Santos and Schon but the Wanderers striker made himself known from minute one, scored a fine goal and continued to cement a burgeoning partnership with Aaron Collins.
MOAN OF THE MATCH – Those late goal caught everyone by surprise. Ian Evatt was clearly still miffed after the final whistle.
MAGIC MOMENT – The trio of Santos, Schon and McAtee combined to create the first goal but it was hard to gauge which was the most important piece of the puzzle.
ATMOSHPERE – Wanderers’ fans gave it their all against a rather silent home support. The backing for Santos in particular was first rate.
