Forward speaks to club after opening scoring in Wanderers' pre-season victory against Oldham Athletic
Liam Feeney was delighted as Bolton Wanderers recorded their first victory of pre-season against Oldham Athletic on Tuesday.
Starting upfront alongside Gary Madine, with Stephen Dobbie operating behind the duo, the 28-year-old fired Neil Lennon’s side ahead at Boundary Park midway through the first half with a thunderous half-volley.
Dobbie and Madine combined to double the Whites’ lead just before break, leaving Feeney pleased with Bolton’s performance and keen for them to build on the result against Scunthorpe United on Friday.
“It feels great to get that first win,” the forward shared with bwfc.co.uk after the final whistle. “It is important to get minutes under your belt and to get your match sharpness back – that is the biggest priority – but winning breeds confidence.
“It was a good performance from the lads, we’re very happy with it. It feels good to be going home having kept a clean sheet and scored a couple of goals, though it could have been a few more.”
Feeney continued: “The feeling in the camp is a lot better after tonight. We’ve had two or three weeks of hard work and some difficult games out in Austria.
“That stands us in good stead having faced different cultures of football, but now we’ve come back to the bread and butter sort of football that we’re used to.
“We’ve put in a good performance tonight and are feeling good – now we’ve got to build on it, go again on Friday and keep on improving.”
Having been utilised in midfield for the majority of pre-season so far, Feeney also shared his pleasure at marking his switch in position with a goal, before praising fellow forwards Madine and Dobbie for their contributions to the win.
“It seemed like I had an age to decide what I was going to do for the goal,” said Feeney. “I had a look and thought the keeper would come out and shut me down, because it took a while to come down, but he didn’t.
“I knew then it was head down and foot through it. Thankfully it went in – I’m very happy with it!
“I enjoyed it upfront. I don’t mind playing anywhere across the front really, wide or through the middle.
“If the gaffer asks me to do it then I am happy to do it. It’s enjoyable, especially with people like Gaz and Dobs playing up there with me.
“I know they’re going to find me and put me in good positions – hopefully I can do the same for them. It seemed to work tonight so long may it continue!”