"Stockport kicked off their 2025-26 campaign with a 2-0 win at home against Bolton Wanderers. And the same fixture brings the curtain down on each club's campaigns as they contest the League One play-off final, with both vying for a spot in the Championship having had near misses with promotions in recent seasons. Bolton set up their place in that final by beating Bradford over two legs, but they have not overcome Stockport this season."
"Following their opening day defeat at Edgeley Park, they were held to a 2-2 draw by Dave Challinor's side at home last month, with the Hatters taking this season's bragging rights into the trip to Wembley. "Every time we've played them it's close and always tight. They've got some good players but we're looking forward to it," Bolton boss Steven Schumacher told BBC Radio Manchester. "We know what's at stake and we have to be prepared as best we possibly can.""
"Xavier Simons, who scored the goal that clinched the second leg for Bolton on Thursday at Valley Parade, is less diplomatic about their prospects. "It's not easy," he said. "We know when we're at it, we are a very dangerous team, a team that can win games and that's what we're going to do.""
"In 2019 Bolton were not just relegated out of the Championship, but their very existence looked in doubt. A takeover went through later that summer but the damage of an interrupted season had already taken hold and a second successive relegation in a Covid-interrupted campaign followed. And then came the rebuild. Ian Evatt led them back to the third tier and a pathway to the second could have followed in 2024, having narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to the Championship."
Stockport began the 2025-26 campaign with a 2-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers and later earned a 2-2 draw at home after Bolton’s opening-day defeat. The same fixture now closes both clubs’ seasons in the League One play-off final at Wembley, with promotion to the Championship at stake. Bolton reached the final by beating Bradford over two legs and have not beaten Stockport this season. Bolton manager Steven Schumacher emphasized the closeness of past meetings and the need for preparation. Xavier Simons said Bolton are dangerous when at their best and intend to win. Bolton’s recent history includes relegation from the Championship in 2019, a takeover, and a rebuild under Ian Evatt.
Read at www.bbc.com
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