Bolton Wanderers continued their unbeaten start to their season with a 1-0 win over Morecambe.
The Whites took the lead in the first half through Liverpool loanee Conor Bradley, who caused the Shrimps problems all evening, found the back of the net on the turn for his second goal for his loan club. He finshed off a flowing attacking move as the Shrimps struggled to create many chances which troubled James Trafford as the hosts secured a 1-0 victory.
The victory ensured Wanderers moved back into the League One play-off positions and the Whites are now fourth in the table. Next up is a home game on Saturday versus Sheffield Wednesday.
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After the game, we analyse the talking points from the victory for Wanderers and the positives and negatives from a Bolton perspective. Here's what we made of it.
Ups
Bradley impact continues
What more can be said about Liverpool loanee Bradley? In his short space of time at Wanderers, he is becoming one of the first names on the team sheet and an undroppable without good reason.
The 19-year-old has had a fantastic start to life at Wanderers and got his second goal in the win over the Shrimps. It was a much cmore close range effort than the thunderbolt against Salford City, but the importance was perhaps greater as it got three points.
The youngster was the clear man of the match in the win over Morecambe, causing problems for the Shrimps throughout the encounter. Bradley's Wanderers career may only be a few games old, but the impact he is having is huge.
Back in the play-off places and not far from the top
It is of course a very early stage of the season. Nothing is handed out in August and the only thing that matters ultimately is where teams are in the table at the start of May.
But Wanderers are still unbeaten - in all competitions too - so far this campaign. Their tally of eight points could well have been higher had a victory been achieved versus Port Vale, as Ian Evatt felt it could have been, despite being down to 10 men.
Nothing is won at this early stage, but it's certainly nice to see Wanderers occupying the places they will want to be towards the end of the campaign.
Aimson fills Santos void again
As was required from half-time in the win over Port Vale, Will Aimson had to deputise for skipper Ricardo Santos. The Bolton captain was sent off against Port Vale and Aimson came into the starting XI for the clash against Morecambe.
The Shrimps had few opportunites to find the back of the net and Aimson made a valuable contribution to that being that case. He was in the right place at the right time more often than not to snuff out attacks and his timing of tackles was on point.
Aimson has tough competition for a place in the rearguard, but when he is given a chance, he rarely puts much of a foot wrong. He is a valuable player to have in this competitive Wanderers squad.
Changes pay off eventually
Wanderers boss Evatt made five changes for the win against Morecambe from the side which drew versus Port Vale. Such changes were needed following the heat the game was played in at Vale Park.
At times, particularly in the first half, Wanderers looked a bit like a side which had made five changes and looked a tad disjointed as they tried to craft attacks against a very compact and low line Morecambe deployed. Bradley's goal proved to be a pivotal point in the encounter.
Wanderers have a big squad and all members will be needed this season as Wanderers try and achieve the best results possible. It's not the first time Evatt will shuffle his squad around and it surely won't be the last either.
Victory over Morecambe side hard to beat
Wanderers' games against Morecambe, which have been the case over only the past few seasons, have been tight affairs. Wanderers are still yet to taste defeat against the Shrimps.
Both games last season ended 1-1 and have proved to be fiesty encounters. That was the case last night again.
It was a tight game that Morecambe were clearly seeking to nick a goal on the counter-attack or from a set piece as Wanderers tired to break them down. Three points against a side which is hard to beat was most welcome indeed.
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