COVID-hit Bolton Wanderers aim to make return to winning ways in Papa John’s Trophy as they visit Hartlepool United

Still low on numbers after a COVID-hit festive period, Bolton Wanderers go in search of their first win in over a month as they visit Hartlepool United in the last 16 of the Papa John’s Trophy.

The Whites had built some form towards the end of November and picked up their most recent victory at home to Fleetwood Town in the competition on the last day of the month to reach this stage.

A miserable December ensued though, as back-to-back defeats in League One were followed by a COVID outbreak within the camp which saw no less than three games over the festive period cancelled.

The Trotters made their return to action in a 2-1 defeat at Rotherham United on New Year’s Day but had a depleted look to the matchday squad, and that is not expected to get change when they make the trip up to the North-East on Tuesday evening.

Hosts Hartlepool also experienced a bout of the virus during December and had a League Two game against Colchester United called off, as well as seeing a meeting with Tranmere Rovers postponed last week due to cases within the opposition squad.

The ‘Pools’ haven’t won in their last three outings and marked the beginning of 2022 with a goalless draw at home to Oldham Athletic on Saturday.

The Managers

Interestingly, both men in charge of the two teams at the Suit Direct stadium on Tuesday night enjoyed success of their own in the competition during their playing days.

Bolton’s Ian Evatt made 15 appearances in the Football League Trophy and notched a goal against Fleetwood Town in the Northern Area final to help propel Chesterfield into the national final at Wembley in 2014.

Current Wanderers striker Eoin Doyle was in the same Spireites side and scored at Wembley, but Chesterfield lost out 3-1 to Peterborough United in front of more than 35,000 spectators.

Graeme Lee meanwhile went a step further and won the competition with Doncaster Rovers in 2007.

Like his counterpart Evatt, Lee was a defender and scored a hugely important goal for his side on the big stage as he nodded the winner in extra-time at the Millennium Stadium to hand Donny a 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers.

Both will undoubtedly be hoping that their teams can continue on the path to Wembley this time around as they go in search of more cup success.

Last Time Out

With Bolton a Premier League side as recently as 2012, and Hartlepool only re-gaining their football league status with promotion from the National League last season, it is not surprising that the two clubs have not met all that frequently.

In fact, they last faced off 23 years ago, with their previous encounter coming in a first-round League cup tie back in August 1998. Played out over two legs a week apart, the Trotters ran out 1-0 winners at home before earning a comfortable 3-0 away victory in the return leg.

Wanderers striker Nathan Blake netted a hat trick, and at the heart of the defence for United that night – as well as in the first leg a week earlier – was current manager Lee.

Of course, there is no rivalry whatsoever between the pair but Lee probably does owe the Whites one after that showing.

Kicking off at 19:00, the Papa John’s Trophy tie will head straight to penalties if the matchends in a draw. The winners will then proceed through to the quarter-final stage, where there will be no regionalisation of the draw.

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