Match report

Bolton Secures Narrow Win Over Plymouth in League One

Plymouth
Plymouth
1–2
FT
Bolton
Bolton
Apr 3, 2026

Bolton secured a 2-1 victory over Plymouth in a dramatic League One clash, despite playing a man down for nearly the entire second half. Plymouth took the lead through a goal from Robert Curtis, but a penalty by John Kenny and an own goal by Michael Boateng ensured Bolton emerged victorious. The match saw red cards and substitutions that significantly influenced the game's flow.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Plymouth 1-2 Bolton
  • • John McAtee received a red card for Bolton at the 43rd minute
  • • Goal Scoring: John Kenny (penalty) and Michael Boateng (own goal) for Bolton; Robert Curtis for Plymouth
  • • Substitutions: Multiple key changes for both teams, including Ola Oseni and Joe Edwards for Plymouth
  • • Competition: League One

Lineups

Plymouth

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Conor Hazard (G)
  • 8 Joe Edwards (D)
  • 2 Mathias Ross (D)
  • 15 Alex Mitchell (D)
  • 3 Jack Mackenzie (D)
  • 28 Ronan Curtis (M)
  • 19 Malachi Boateng (M)
  • 20 Herbie Kane (M)
  • 35 Owen Dale (M)
  • 18 Owen Oseni (F)
  • 27 Aribim Pepple (F)

Substitutes

  • 9 Lorent Tolaj
  • 45 Wes Harding
  • 17 Caleb Watts
  • 10 Xavier Amaechi
  • 21 Luca Ashby-Hammond
  • 7 Jamie Paterson
  • 22 Brendan Galloway

Bolton

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Jack Bonham (G)
  • 14 Jordi Osei-Tutu (D)
  • 18 Eoin Toal (D)
  • 6 George Johnston (D)
  • 25 Max Conway (D)
  • 8 Josh Sheehan (M)
  • 27 Rúben Rodrigues (M)
  • 45 John McAtee (M)
  • 9 Johnny Kenny (M)
  • 11 Thierry Gale (M)
  • 10 Sam Dalby (F)

Substitutes

  • 3 Chris Forino
  • 29 Cyrus Christie
  • 48 Mason Burstow
  • 23 David Harrington
  • 54 Tobias Ritchie
  • 15 Robert Apter
  • 20 Ibrahim Cissoko

Timeline

  1. Bolton
    18' Bolton Card · Yellow Card
    J. Sheehan

    Foul

  2. Bolton
    43' Bolton Card · Red Card
    John McAtee

    Unsportsmanlike conduct

  3. Bolton
    45'+2 Bolton Card · Yellow Card
    R. Rodrigues

    Foul

  4. Bolton
    46' Bolton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Gale · On: Chris Forino
  5. Bolton
    49' Bolton Goal · Penalty
    J. Kenny
  6. Plymouth
    57' Plymouth Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Curtis · Assist: Herbie Kane
  7. Plymouth
    58' Plymouth subst · Substitution 1
    Off: O. Oseni · On: L. Tolaj
  8. Plymouth
    59' Plymouth subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. MacKenzie · On: W. Harding
  9. Bolton
    64' Bolton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Rodrigues · On: C. Christie
  10. Bolton
    64' Bolton subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Kenny · On: M. Burstow
  11. Bolton
    70' Bolton Goal · Own Goal
    M. Boateng
  12. Plymouth
    71' Plymouth subst · Substitution 3
    Off: O. Dale · On: Caleb Watts
  13. Plymouth
    80' Plymouth subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Joe Edwards · On: X. Amaechi

Match Stats

Stat Plymouth Bolton
Fouls 16 12
Pass Accuracy 71% 70%
Offsides 3 1
Red Cards 0 1
Total Shots 15 9
Corners 4 4
Total Passes 310 334
Yellow Cards 0 2
Blocked Shots 4 2
Shots on Target 4 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 5
Possession 51% 49%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 219 233
Shots Inside Box 10 8
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 5 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Bolton's John McAtee was sent off at the 43rd minute, leaving the team to play with 10 men for most of the second half
  • ▸ Plymouth equalized through Robert Curtis's goal at the 57th minute, giving them a brief lead
  • ▸ Bolton's own goal by Michael Boateng at the 70th minute reversed the momentum, securing a crucial away win