Bolton brush aside Plymouth to win Papa John's Trophy

Bolton Wanderers produced a dominant performance against Plymouth Argyle to secure a resounding 4-0 victory in the Papa Johns Trophy final at Wembley. 

The game started brightly for Bolton, who capitalized on a set-piece to take the lead within the first four minutes. 

A left-footed delivery from Declan John found the unmarked Kyle Dempsey at the back post, who headed the ball across the goal into the net, leaving Plymouth keeper Callum Burton rooted to the spot.

Bolton's relentless pressing and quick counter-attacks caught Plymouth out repeatedly, and they doubled their lead just six minutes later when Elias Kachunga and Dempsey combined to set up Dion Charles for a neat finish. 

Plymouth struggled to deal with the occasion and were lucky not to concede more goals in the first half.

The second half was no different, as Bolton continued to dominate, and their persistence paid off with two more goals. 

Charles' pressure made Plymouth defense commit a poor clearance, which allowed Kachunga to score with an efficient finish, sending the Bolton fans into a frenzy. 

Gethin Jones added a fourth with a powerful header past Burton from a corner sealing the game for the Trotters.

This victory is Bolton's second in the EFL Trophy, having won it previously in 1989 against Torquay United. 

After their disappointing performance at Wembley, Plymouth will be eager to bounce back and secure promotion to the Championship, starting with their upcoming match against Morecambe at the Mazuma Stadium on Good Friday.

Bolton finds themselves in a fiercely contested battle to secure a playoff spot and they will travel to Devon to face Exeter City on Friday afternoon.

🏆 2022/23 Papa Johns Trophy winners!

Congratulations, @OfficialBWFC! 👏#EFL | #PapaJohnsTrophy pic.twitter.com/fUSJT8KbZ9

— Papa Johns Trophy (@PapaJohnsTrophy) April 2, 2023