2012/13 month-by-month - Part three

A look back at the final four months of Wanderers' 2012/13 campaign

After nine months, 50 games, 19 wins and 75 goals, Wanderers’ npower Championship season is over. In the final part of our feature, the club website looks back on the last four months of the campaign.

FEBRUARY 

With the fixtures coming thick and fast, Wanderers started the month with a tricky trip to promotion hopefuls Watford, and despite Marvin Sordell’s first half opener, the Whites fell to a 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road.

Manager Dougie Freedman knew his side were not far away from finding their rhythm, and a 2-1 home win over neighbours Burnley seven days later started a seven game unbeaten run.

Draws at Nottingham Forest and Derby County soon followed before an impressive 4-1 win at the Reebok Stadium against eventual Championship runners up Hull City.


Freedman’s men rounded off the month with a hard fought 1-0 win over Peterborough United, with Craig Dawson scoring his fourth goal for the club after his loan switch from Premier League outfit WBA.

 


188BET Player of the Month: Craig Dawson


MARCH

Wanderers started from where they left off and made it three wins on the bounce, with a 3-2 victory at Barnsley, with centre half Dawson again on the score sheet as the England U21 international’s reputation continued to grow.

A memorable 90th minute striker from top goal scorer Chris Eagles sealed a fourth straight league win over neighbours Blackburn Rovers four days later, as Bolton continued their surge up the table.

Spaniard Marcos Alonso made it 15 points in 14 days, as Bolton again claimed a 1-0 win at the Reebok Stadium, this time against Gus Poyet’s Brighton.

The month however ended in frustration with a late defeat away at Ipswich Town and a 3-2 loss at Charlton Athletic, despite Wanderers leading 2-0 at The Valley.

Defender Danny Butterfield and West Ham winger Robert Hall joined the Bolton ranks on loan for the remainder of the season, with USA international Stuart Holden heading out on loan to Sheffield Wednesday in order to build up his match fitness. 

 


188BET Player of the Month: Marcos Alonso


APRIL/MAY
A Chris Eagles strike helped Wanderers get back to winning ways at the start of April against Huddersfield Town.

The win was followed up with a convincing 2-0 victory against Wolves, resulting in seven home league wins on the spin for the Whites.

April continued to be a good month for Bolton, as centre forward Craig Davies climbed off the bench eleven minutes from time to record a 2-1 win at Bristol City.

Despite a proud display at Leicester City, Wanderers three game winning run in April came to an end with a 3-2 defeat.

However, showing their ability to bounce back, Bolton secured a valuable three points against Middlesbrough at the Reebok ahead of their penultimate league game away at Championship winners Cardiff City.

Marksman Eagles looked to have spoiled the Cardiff party by handing Bolton the lead in the Welsh capital; however the champions rescued a point midway through the second half, leaving Bolton
inside the top six on goal difference heading into the final game of the season.

With the scene set, Bolton were up against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City with two places up for grabs in the Play-Offs.

Neighbours Blackpool were Wanderers’ opponents at the Reebok, and the visitors made a flying start and were 2-0 ahead after 35 minutes.

The Whites bravely fought back and before the referee could blow for half time they were level courtesy of goals from Eagles and Davies.

Pushing for an elusive third goal, Freedman’s side couldn’t find another way past Blackpool shot stopper Matt Gilks, as Leicester City and Crystal Palace booked their place in the Championship Play-Off semi-finals.


188BET Player of the Month: Chris Eagles

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