Bolton Wanderers drew against Stockport County in the club's latest pre-season friendly.
Wanderers were in action yesterday afternoon against League Two side County behind closed doors at the Hatters' Carrington training complex. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Will Collar put County into the lead after the 60 minute mark, only for Wanderers to draw level moments later through Kachunga. The Whites went in front not long after thanks to Liverpool loanee Conor Bradley, but Myles Hippolyte levelled after to ensure the behind closed doors contest ended in a draw.
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Here, we analyse aspects of the game we noticed from a Wanderers perspective in the latest pre-season outing for Ian Evatt's side.
Kachunga in red hot pre-season form
Kachunga is part of a highly competitive forward line at Wanderers. The former Huddersfield Town man has Dion Charles, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Amadou Bakayoko and Dapo Afolayan for company.
But Kachunga is taking the opportunites offered to him so far in pre-season and has three goals in as many games. A low finish and headers in the wins over Longridge Town and Chorley were followed up against County.
Kachunga was in the right place at the right time to follow up an opportunity and head home from close range versus the Hatters. He is now second top scorer for Wanderers in pre-season only behind Charles and is taking the chances offered to him in the early stages of pre-season.
Bradley impresses once again
Liverpool loanee Bradley will be with Wanderers for the season and he has featured in all three pre-season friendlies so far. The Whites wanted the Northern Ireland intenrnational in January but have managed to get their man this summer.
The youngster started life at Wanderers with three assists on his first outing vs Longridge. A more subdued performance in comparison followed against Chorley, as was the case with the team in general, particularly in the second half.
But the Anfield prospect put Wanderers ahead with a delightful low finish against County for his first goal for the club. The 30 minute cameo was another eye-catching showing from the loanee, who could be quite a coup for Wanderers this campaign.
Left centre back battle develops
Arguably two of the best outfield players for Wanderers in the clash against County were on the left of the back three. Jack Iredale started the game in that role, before George Johnston came on at the hour mark.
Based on the evidence versus County, it could be one of the most interesting battles within the squad. Both impressed in their outings.
Iredale is still getting used to how Wanderers play, but his tackling ability and eye for a forward pass is under no question at all. After Johnston came on, he provided the assists for both goals.
Competition exists all over the Wanderers squad, such is the side that Evatt has crafted over the past two years. The latest permanent addition could make one position very hotly contested indeed.
First pre-season game without a win as opposition quality increases
Bolton's first two pre-season outings against non-league opposition had yielded scorelines of 9-0 versus Longridge Town and 3-1 against Chorley. Such scorelines were not repeated against the Hatters.
There was a clear step-up in the quality of the opposition Wanderers faced. The Hatters have been promoted to League Two and will fancy their chances for promotion out of League One this campaign and being in the mix.
Wanderers boss Evatt admitted after the game there were things that he saw against County that he liked, but also some that he did not. However, that is to be somewhat expected at this early stage of pre-season.
The quality of opposition clearly went up a notch against the Hatters and bigger tests will follow in the weeks to come. Wanderers face Championship sides Watford and Huddersfield Town soon and these will provide more clear benchmarks of where Evatt's side are right now as they aim for promotion to that division.
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