Bradley Looking For Final Lift-Off

Conor Bradley hopes to harness the spirit of Wembley to help propel Wanderers towards the play-offs.

Five days after lifting the Papa Johns Trophy with a memorable 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle, Wanderers return to League One duty at Devon neighbours Exeter City on Good Friday.

After three weeks without a league fixture, the Whites head to St James’ Park to kick off their Easter double-header sitting fifth in the table.

And Bradley is determined to build on the euphoria of the Wembley win in a bid to cement a top-six finish.

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“We know it’s going to be a tough game,” said the Wanderers’ wing-back.

“Exeter are doing well at the minute. But hopefully we can use this momentum now from the cup final and bring it into the league, starting on Friday. We need to use the confidence we got from it and use it in a good way.

“The play-offs is the goal. We want to return to Wembley and get a second bite at the cherry. Hopefully we can keep winning as many game as we can, make sure we get in the top six and see what happens from there.

“We know it’s going to be close. There are a lot of teams around us so we just need to keep focusing on ourselves and try and win as many games as we can and hopefully that will get us in the play-offs.

“We’ve hit form at a good time. We played really well on Sunday and hopefully we can bring that into Friday and Monday.”

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Bradley’s own form couldn’t be better after another outstanding display from the on-loan Liverpool youngster at Wembley.

The Northern Ireland international was a key man down Wanderers’ right flank as Ian Evatt’s men scored two early goals to set up the biggest final win in the history of the competition.

And Bradley admits the occasion is one he’ll never forget as he further strengthened his bond with the Wanderers’ fans on a famous day for the Whites.

“It’s a privilege to play for their club, for Bolton,” he added.

“It’s unbelievable they have taken to me so well. I just want to keep trying to work as hard as I can and play as well as I can for them and hopefully get a good, strong finish to the season for them too.

“I’m from Northern Ireland but growing up as a kid I always wanted to play at Wembley and play in cup finals.

“To get the chance to do that at 19 years old was pretty surreal. I was loving being out there. I could have stayed there all day.

“Even just getting to Wembley was a great achievement for us, but to win in that manner as well was unbelievable.

“Parading the trophy around the pitch was class. I’ve met some really good people here and sharing that moment with them and creating memories was terrific.”

Watch Conor's full pre-match interview in the video above

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