It’s all to play for at Oakwell after the Reds claimed a draw in the away leg of their League One Play-Off Semi-Final.
The Reds are unbeaten in all of their five away play-off semi-finals now, also winning 4-0 at Birmingham in 2000, 3-1 at Huddersfield in 2006, 3-1 at Walsall in 2016 and drawing 1-1 at Swansea in 2021.
This was though the first time they have failed to win the away leg of a third tier play-off semi-final.
In contrast they must now attempt something they have only done once from their previous four play-off campaigns and that is win at home -they lost 2-1 to Birmingham in 2000, 1-0 to Huddersfield in 2006 and 1-0 to Swansea in 2021, the only side they have beaten was Walsall in 2016, 3-0.
Barnsley have now been pegged back when opening the scoring in two of their past three games and back to back when going 1-0 up – as many as in the previous 28 in which they had gone 1-0 up.
They are though now unbeaten in 30 league matches when opening the scoring (W26 D4) last losing from a 1-0 lead in the final home game of 2021-2022 against Preston (1-3)
This was the eighth play-off match in which Barnsley have opened the scoring (from a total of 12) and the second time they have not gone on to win when doing so – also the final in 2000 when they lost 4-2 to Ipswich.
This was the third play-off match Barnsley have drawn – also the final v Swansea in 2006 (2-2) and the semi-final second leg against the same opponents in 2021 (1-1)
It means they have failed to win any of their last three play-off games (D2 L1)
This was the sixth game in which Nicky Cadden has netted for the Reds and only the second they have not gone on to win.
It was set up by a neat touch from Devante Cole, his third assist of the season and 19th direct goal involvement – the most of any Barnsley player this season, now one ahead of Adam Phillips.
Dion Charles grabbed Bolton’s equaliser just four minutes later, he has netted in two of the four meetings between the clubs so far this season.
He becomes the seventh player to net home and away against the Reds this season in the league after Colby Bishop, Tommy Leigh, Jay Stanfield, Conor Chaplin, Mo Eisa and Jack Taylor.
There were no bookings for the first time in 18 Barnsley games (last time was the 4-0 win at Cheltenham in February)
Barnsley have now gone four league games without a win (D2 L2), their joint longest winless run of the season (also in October – D1 L3)
They have gone three away league games without a win for the first time since the opening three of the season.
Barnsley have now won only one of their last 17 meetings with Bolton and only two of the last 19 – both of which have come in the FA Cup.
Their last victory over the Trotters in league competition was when both clubs were two divisions higher, a 2-1 Premier League victory at Oakwell in August 1997.
They have now failed to win any of their last 11 visits to Bolton and have failed to win any of their 11 league visits to Bolton’s current stadium, their only victory there coming in the FA Cup this season.
Eight of the last 17 meetings overall have been draws.
Bolton had only one shot on target – their goal – the 14th time this season Barnsley have restricted their opponents to one shot or less.
It is the second time it has occurred against Bolton at the University of Bolton stadium this season – also in the 0-0 league meeting in October.
Of the 14games, this was the sixth occasion in which the opponent has scored with their only shot on target.
Barnsley Team:
1. Harry Isted
12. Bobby Thomas
6. Mads Andersen (c)
5. Liam Kitching
2. Jordan Williams
30. Adam Phillips
48. Luca Connell
8. Herbie Kane
7. Nicky Cadden
31. Slobodan Tedic
44. Devante Cole
Substitutes:
9. James Norwood (for Tedic 82)
47. Max Watters (for Cole 82)
Unused Substitutes:
3. Jon Russell, 10. Josh Benson, 16. Luke Thomas, 26. Ziyad Larkeche,
40. Brad Collins.
Bolton Team:
19. James Trafford
18. Eoin Toal
5. Ricardo Santos (c)
6. George Johnston
21. Conor Bradley
8. Josh Sheehan
16. Aaron Morley
27. Randell Williams
22. Kyle Dempsey
24. Elias Kachunga
10. Dion Charles
Substitutions:
11. Dan N'Lundulu (for Kachunga 65)
20. Kieran Lee (for Sheehan 65)
29. Victor Adeboyejo (for Charles 78)
Unused Substitutes:
3. Declan John, 4. MJ Williams, 25. George Thomason, 35. Cameron Jerome.
Match Reports:
Sky Bet League One Results:
FRIDAY 12TH MAY 2023:
Peterborough United 4-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Taylor 20
Ward 36
Poku 50
Clarke-Harris 82
SATURDAY 13TH MAY 2022:
Bolton Wanderers 1-1 BARNSLEY
Cadden 63
Charles 67
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Sky Bet League One Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg: Barnsley v Bolton Wanderers, Friday 19th May 2023. Kick Off: 8pm
On The Road:
TBC