Amario Cozier-Duberry’s strike saw Bolton defeat Bradford in the first leg of their League One Play-Off Semi-Final at Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Brighton loanee, Cozier-Duberry rifled in a 60th-minute winner from Ibrahim Cissoko’s cross to settle a tight contest in which three penalty appeals were denied.
The 20-year-old forward felt that Bolton had to be “patient” for their win but is disappointed that his second shot hit the left post just two minutes after his goal, as he explained his thoughts to Sky Sports post match.
“I’m disappointed the second one didn’t go in (hit the post) but we just have to refocus and go again, but I did think it was in.
“We’ve been working on being clinical in front of goal and I’m just glad to get that goal.”
Bolton’s manager, Steven Schumacher added that he was pleased to see Cozier-Duberry play the patient game to get his goal, just over a month after his return from a knee injury which had sidelined him from late January to early April.
“We just said to him at half-time, the way Bradford played, he was coming inside a lot and the space kind of wasn’t there, so, we asked him just to be patient and hopefully we can get the ball to him in them dangerous areas. It was a nice move, he’s got that quality and we’re just glad to have him back fit and available.”
Bolton now head to Bradford’s Valley Parade on Thursday 14 May for the second leg of this play-off tie, needing to just avoid defeat to book their place in the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium, London, on Sunday 24 May at 1pm BST.
With both teams having struggled for wins in recent weeks, there was an early sense of urgency in a frantic start to the tie but Bradford almost took a ninth-minute lead if not for Chris Forino-Joseph’s block of Antoni Sarcevic’s shot.
Bolton however were frustratingly denied from a 13th minute corner as Mason Burstow’s shot was blocked before the ball was worked to the feet of George Johnston, but he struck his shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
Ruben Rodrigues and Cozier-Duberry also saw shots blocked as Bolton continued to push for the opening goal but Bradford stood firm until half time.
Bolton’s Cissoko however saw a 21st-minute penalty appeal dismissed by referee – Martin Coy after he went to ground inside the box from a shove by Josh Neufville, but Coy rightly felt that the push contact occurred outside of the box.
Coy however was forced off just five minutes into the second half after he suffered a calf injury, with David Rock introduced as his replacement.
Once things settled down, Sarcevic fired wide for Bradford in the 54th minute as the Bantams began to impose themselves on the front foot.
Bolton however quickly settled and forced the breakthrough opening goal from Cissoko’s cross which flew across Rodrigues, and fell for Cozier-Duberry who calmly rifled into the far-bottom left corner with the first shot on target to spark celebrations amongst the home crowd.
That goal sparked Bolton into further life as Cozier-Duberry broke forward two minutes later aiming for the same corner, yet his shot struck the left post and ricocheted away across the face of goal much to his frustration.
Bolton continued to push for a second goal to give themselves a comfort cushion for the second leg at Valley Parade, in the knowledge that Bradford have lost just three matches at home this season, but Rodrigues’ penalty appeal after he was fouled by Neufville was snubbed by Rock.
Josh Sheehan meanwhile fired wide as play continued before Rock intervened to rule out Rodrigues’ penalty claim.
Bradford three minutes later had their own penalty appeal denied after Kayden Jackson was brought down by Forino-Joseph.
Graham Alexander’s Bantams subsequently continued to push forward in the closing minutes chasing an equaliser, which allowed Bolton space to spark frantic attacks of their own as the game became end-to-end, during which Johnston flicked John McAtee’s overhead cross wide for the hosts.
Bolton now head into the second leg on Thursday knowing that a draw would be enough for a spot in the play-off final.
Teams
Bolton: Jack Bonham, Jordi Osei-Tutu, Eoin Toal, Chris Forino-Joseph, George Johnston, Josh Sheehan, Ruben Rodrigues (McAtee 81′), Amario Cozier-Duberry, Ethan Erhahon (Simons 71′), Ibrahim Cissoko (Conway 95′), Mason Burstow (Dalby 81′)
Substitutes: Cyrus Christie, Max Conway, Sam Dalby, Thierry Gale, David Harrington, John McAtee, Xavier Simons
Bradford: Sam Walker, Joe Wright, Aden Baldwin, Curtis Tilt, Josh Neufville, Jenson Metcalfe, Max Power, Ibou Touray, George Lapslie (Wright 67′), Antoni Sarcevic, Kayden Jackson (Powell 80′)
Substitutes: Joe Hilton, Stephen Humphrys, Ciaran Kelly, Matthew Pennington, Nick Powell, Will Swan, Tyreik Wright
Referee – Martin Coy
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