Bolton kicked off their new season in style, securing a home victory against Preston in the opening Saturday fixture of the English Championship. Both goals for the hosts came early, with the scoreboard already reflecting their dominance by the middle of the first half.
The first breakthrough arrived in the 14th minute when Dalby capitalized on a rebound after the goalkeeper’s save, slotting the ball into the net. Bolton then doubled their lead through Gale, who impressed with a brilliant solo run from midfield, finishing confidently to make it 2-0.
Preston managed to pull one back late in the game, with Erabi scoring a consolation goal in the 86th minute, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome. The match ended 2-1 in favor of Bolton.
2026-27 English Championship
Bolton 2–1 Preston (2–0 at halftime)
Goals: Dalby 14′ (1–0); Gale 25′ (2–0); Erabi 86′ (2–1)
Bolton lineup: Bonham; Forino; Famewo; Conway (Toal 82′); Stevenson (Brant 85′); Sheean; Erahon; Larrassabal (Iling 75′); Gale (Dong 85′); Dalby; McAteer (Hardy 75′)
Substitutions: Iling (75′), Hardy (75′), Toal (82′), Brant (85′), Dong (85′)
Reserves: Harrington; Davis B.K.; Christie; Watson D.
Yellow cards: Sheean 48′; Forino 88′
Preston lineup: Iversen; Valentin (Offia 64′); Lindsay; Story; Hughes E. (Vukcevic A. 79′); Divine A.; McCann A.; Thompson D. (Leroy L. 63′); Osmajic; Lang Ka. (Erabi 64′); Burgzorg (Small T. 79′)
Substitutions: Leroy L. (63′), Offia (64′), Erabi (64′), Vukcevic A. (79′), Small T. (79′)
Reserves: Nicholls; Moran
Yellow cards: McCann A. 13′; Thompson D. 27′; Valentin 42′
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