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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
John McDougall

'Unreal support' - Bolton Wanderers dressing room reaction to Blackburn Rovers draw and fans return

Bolton Wanderers remain unbeaten in pre-season after a 2-2 draw against Championship side Blackburn Rovers today.

The Trotters took the lead against the Ewood Park side through defender George Johnston before half-time.

They doubled their lead after the break when Oladapo Afolayan's good work on the left hand side and shot was put into his own net by Hayden Carter.

READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Blackburn Rovers: highlights and reaction after pre-season draw

But Rovers rallied when Tony Mowbray made a quadruple change and Chile international Ben Brereton found the back of the net twice to ensure the friendly ended all square, as Wanderers fans returned to the University of Bolton Stadium for the first time in more than 500 days.

The last time Wanderers supporters had watched a home match was at the end of February 2020 against Accrington Stanley.

And it is also the first time the vast majority of the current Bolton squad have played in front of the club's supporters.

Taking to Twitter after the draw, the Wanderers dressing room was a happy place after playing in front of supporters again, with all eyes now on the League One curtain raiser against MK Dons next Saturday.

Afolayan posted: "Great way to end pre season in front of our home fans for the first time! Happy to get another goal and can’t wait for next week in front of even more of you! Thanks for all your support."

Gethin Jones posted: "Unbelievable support today, was amazing to have you fans back. Bring on next week."

Amadou Bakayoko posted: "What a feeling playing in front of fans again, unbelievable buzz stepping out the tunnel, good shift from the boys this pre season, real deal next week we move."

Josh Sheehan posted: "First game at the UniBol. All focus for the start of the season next weekend."

Captain Antoni Sarcevic posted: "Can’t tell you how good that feeling was running out to you fans! Some noise & throughout the support was unreal! Bring on next week."

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