By SCM SPORTS REPORTER
BOLTON – The Toughsheet Community Stadium was rocking last night as Bolton Wanderers secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bradford City, marching into the last 16 of the English Football League, EFL Trophy.
But while the three points were a welcome bonus, the real winner was the spectacle itself, housed within the dramatic architecture of the Trotters’ grand home.
Under the iconic gabled roof of their fortress—once the Reebok, then the Macron, then the University of Bolton Stadium, and now bearing the name of a local hero—Steven Schumacher’s side treated the modest but vocal 2,500 crowd to a display of pure, clinical attacking football.
The Toughsheet Community Stadium, with its distinctive four-stand layout and capacity of over 28,000, is a venue built for the Premier League, and last night, Bolton’s performance matched the surroundings.
The Whites, making nine changes to their League One line-up, played with the swagger of a top-tier side, making a mockery of Bradford’s challenge.
It took just 11 minutes for the ground to erupt. Young ace Ibrahim Cissoko, given the freedom of the Toughsheet’s spacious pitch, ran onto a superb through-ball and calmly slotted home.
Nine minutes later, Cissoko was at it again, pouncing on a loose ball outside the box and sweeping a lovely, first-time effort into the top corner.
Bradford, pinned back and unable to cope with the pace across the expansive Toughsheet turf, managed only one real chance in the first half.
The Whites continued to dominate after the break. The killer third came in the 69th minute and was the goal of the night.
A beautiful passing move saw Joel Randall free Sam Dalby in the box, and he picked out Marcus Forss to ram home from close range.
With a place in the next round secured, the grand stadium, which has seen Premier League glory and European nights, continues to prove a formidable, unbeaten fortress in this season’s cup runs.