Bolton Wanderers secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Oldham Athletic in an International Club Friendly at Boundary Park on July 22, 2026, continuing their strong preseason preparation under manager Ian Evatt. The League One side showed superior quality throughout, while Oldham, now competing in the National League, offered spirited resistance but ultimately fell short.

Match Overview

The match started at a high tempo, with Bolton taking control of possession early. The Trotters' pressing game forced errors from the Oldham backline, leading to two first-half goals that effectively decided the contest. Oldham pulled one back just before the hour mark, but Bolton restored their two-goal cushion shortly after and managed the game comfortably to the final whistle.

Key Moments

• Bolton's early dominance: Two goals inside the first 30 minutes put the visitors firmly in control, with Dion Charles and Aaron Collins both finding the net.
• Oldham's brief revival: A well-taken goal from Oldham striker James Norwood in the 58th minute gave the home fans hope of a comeback.
• Kyle Dempsey seals it: Bolton responded immediately, with Kyle Dempsey scoring the third goal in the 65th minute to kill off any lingering doubt.

Tactical Story

Bolton employed a 3-4-3 formation that allowed them to overload the midfield and create width through wing-backs. Oldham, set up in a more cautious 4-5-1, struggled to contain Bolton's fluid attacking movements, particularly in wide areas. The Latics' goal came from a rare counter-attacking moment, exposing Bolton's high defensive line, but the Trotters adjusted well after the goal and saw out the win with professional game management.

Standout Players

Bolton's midfield trio of Josh Sheehan, Paris Maghoma, and Kyle Dempsey dominated the center of the park, with Dempsey adding a goal to his all-action display. Aaron Collins caused problems all night with his movement and direct running. For Oldham, goalkeeper Magnus Norman made several good saves to keep the scoreline respectable, while Norwood's finishing was a bright spot in an otherwise difficult evening for the hosts.

Season Impact

For Bolton, this result builds momentum ahead of their League One campaign, where they will target a playoff push. Oldham, preparing for National League action, will take encouragement from their second-half performance but will need to tighten up defensively to compete in their league. The match also served as a useful local derby atmosphere test for both squads ahead of the competitive season.