Simons nets late strike to send Bolton to League One play-off final
Xavier Simons struck a dramatic 88th-minute winner as Bolton Wanderers edged past Bradford 2-1 on aggregate to reach the League One play-off final. The victory sets up a clash with Stockport County at Wembley on May 24.
Xavier Simons delivered the moment Bolton Wanderers needed, slotting home an 88th-minute winner to seal a 2-1 aggregate victory over Bradford City and secure a place in the League One play-off final at Wembley.
Simons, 23, has scored just five senior goals in his career, but his strike at Valley Parade on Thursday night was his most consequential yet. The finish, a low drive past goalkeeper Harry Lewis, capped a nervy second leg that saw Bolton survive multiple Bradford chances before breaking clear in stoppage time.
Key Moments
- ⚡ 88’ — Simons strikes to put Bolton 2-1 up on aggregate
- 🔥 Bradford hit the post in the 77th minute
- 🛡️ Bolton goalkeeper Sam Hornby made three saves in the second half
Bolton manager Steven Schumacher admitted his side had not been at their best, but praised the resilience that saw them through. “It wasn’t pretty, but we got the job done,” Schumacher said. “Bradford made it tough, but we showed character. We know what’s at stake now.”
| Fixture | Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolton vs Bradford (1st leg) | May 12, 2026 | 1-0 Bolton | University of Bolton Stadium |
| Bradford vs Bolton (2nd leg) | May 16, 2026 | 1-2 (2-2 agg. Bolton win on away goals) | Valley Parade |
The victory sets up a Wembley showdown with Stockport County on May 24, a match that could return Bolton to the Championship just seven years after their last top-flight campaign. Stockport booked their place with a dramatic extra-time win over Stevenage, extending their unbeaten run to 18 games.
📋 Bolton’s Route to Wembley
- Semi-final 1st leg: Beat Bradford 1-0 at home
- Semi-final 2nd leg: Lost 1-2 but won 2-1 on aggregate
- Final opponents: Stockport County (18-game unbeaten streak)
Simons, who had started just seven league games this season, admitted the margin for error was slim. “We knew Bradford would push hard, and they did,” he said. “But we stayed patient. The gaffer’s belief in me kept me going when I wasn’t starting. I just wanted to contribute when I got the chance.”
💡 Pro Tip
For teams in tight play-off semi-finals, prioritize defensive solidity in the opening 20 minutes of the second leg—moments of vulnerability are often exploited by opponents with nothing to lose.
Bolton’s path to Wembley has been far from smooth. Relegated from the Championship in 2019, they flirted with extinction before a takeover revived their fortunes. Ian Evatt rebuilt the side, steering them back to League One and nearly securing automatic promotion in 2024. Their play-off pedigree includes two Premier League promotions via the same route, but a Wembley defeat to Oxford in 2024 still lingers.
- 2019: Relegated from the Championship and placed into administration.
- 2020: Suffered a second successive relegation amid the COVID-19 disruption.
- 2022: Evatt’s rebuild begins as the Trotters return to League One.
- 2024: Miss automatic promotion by six points, lose play-off final to Oxford.
- 2026: Back at Wembley, one win away from returning to the second tier.
The stakes for Bolton are enormous. A victory would mark their return to the Championship, while a loss would prolong their League One exile. For Stockport, it’s a chance to end a decade away from the second tier. Both clubs arrive with momentum, but only one will leave Wembley as the victor.