Match report

Bolton Defeats Barnsley 3-2 in Thrilling League One Clash

Bolton
Bolton
3–2
FT
Barnsley
Barnsley
Feb 7, 2026

Bolton secured an impressive 3-2 victory against Barnsley in their League One clash. The home team took control early, scoring three quick goals by S. Dalby and John McAtee. Despite Barnsley's strong second-half comeback with two goals from L. Connell and Adam Phillips, Bolton held on to secure the win.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Bolton 3-2 Barnsley
  • • Goals for Bolton: S. Dalby (5', 19'), John McAtee (32')
  • • Barnsley's goals: L. Connell (57'), Adam Phillips (60')
  • • Yellow cards: K. Dempsey, Chris Forino, George Johnston (Bolton); J. Bland, Jack Shepherd (Barnsley)
  • • Substitutions included Tennai Watson and Robert Apter

Lineups

Bolton

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Bonham (G)
  • 14 J. Osei-Tutu (D)
  • 18 E. Toal (D)
  • 3 C. Forino-Joseph (D)
  • 6 G. Johnston (D)
  • 21 E. Erhahon (M)
  • 22 K. Dempsey (M)
  • 15 R. Apter (M)
  • 45 J. McAtee (M)
  • 35 C. Blackett-Taylor (M)
  • 10 S. Dalby (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 D. Harrington
  • 4 X. Simons
  • 20 I. Cissoko
  • 26 L. Temple
  • 29 C. Christie
  • 11 T. Gale
  • 48 M. Burstow

Barnsley

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 O. Goodman (G)
  • 7 C. O'Keeffe (D)
  • 15 E. O'Connell (D)
  • 5 J. Shepherd (D)
  • 27 T. Watson (D)
  • 18 S. Banks (M)
  • 30 J. Bland (M)
  • 48 L. Connell (M)
  • 19 R. Cleary (M)
  • 10 D. McGoldrick (F)
  • 9 T. Bradshaw (F)

Substitutes

  • 51 K. Flavell
  • 4 M. Roberts
  • 14 N. Ogbeta
  • 45 V. Yoganathan
  • 8 A. Phillips
  • 6 M. de Gevigney
  • 22 P. Kelly

Timeline

  1. Bolton
    5' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Dalby · Assist: K. Dempsey
  2. Bolton
    19' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Dalby
  3. Bolton
    29' Bolton Card · Yellow Card
    K. Dempsey

    Foul

  4. Bolton
    32' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    John McAtee · Assist: S. Dalby
  5. Bolton
    45'+2 Bolton Card · Yellow Card
    Chris Forino

    Foul

  6. Barnsley
    46' Barnsley subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Tennai Watson · On: N. Ogbeta
  7. Barnsley
    46' Barnsley subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Cleary · On: Adam Phillips
  8. Barnsley
    46' Barnsley subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Eoghan O'Connell · On: M. de Gevigney
  9. Barnsley
    46' Barnsley subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. McGoldrick · On: P. Kelly
  10. Barnsley
    57' Barnsley Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Connell · Assist: S. Banks
  11. Barnsley
    60' Barnsley Goal · Normal Goal
    Adam Phillips · Assist: S. Banks
  12. Bolton
    62' Bolton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Dempsey · On: Xavier Simons
  13. Bolton
    62' Bolton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: C. Blackett-Taylor · On: T. Gale
  14. Bolton
    70' Bolton subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Osei-Tutu · On: C. Christie
  15. Bolton
    77' Bolton Card · Yellow Card
    George Johnston

    Foul

  16. Barnsley
    79' Barnsley Card · Yellow Card
    J. Bland

    Foul

  17. Bolton
    81' Bolton subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Robert Apter · On: M. Burstow
  18. Barnsley
    88' Barnsley Card · Yellow Card
    Jack Shepherd

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Bolton Barnsley
Fouls 13 8
Pass Accuracy 74% 71%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 23 10
Corners 11 1
Total Passes 356 388
Yellow Cards 3 2
Blocked Shots 8 2
Shots on Target 8 6
xG 2.15 0.78
Shots off Target 7 2
Possession 49% 51%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 264 275
Shots Inside Box 19 5
Saves 4 5
Shots Outside Box 4 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ S. Dalby scored two early goals for Bolton in the 5th and 19th minutes, setting a strong tone for the match.
  • ▸ Barnsley mounted a second-half comeback with goals from L. Connell (57') and Adam Phillips (60'), but could not overcome the deficit.