Nolan makes it safe for battling Bolton
It required two goals in the final 12 minutes to see Bolton through to the group stages as it appeared they were on their way out of the competition at the first hurdle to little-known Lokomotiv Plovdiv in Bourgas.
Following an uninspired opening 45 minutes, Lokomotiv then took the lead in spectacular fashion, with Georgi Iliev scoring a stunning 25-yard strike. That gave the home side the edge on the away-goals rule after Bolton had won the first leg of this first-round tie 2-1 at the Reebok Stadium a fortnight ago.
Bolton’s late, late show started in the 78th minute courtesy of a slice of good fortune when Henrik Pedersen’s left-wing cross was turned home seven yards out by the knee of Lokomotiv defender Alexander Tunchev.
Eight minutes later Bolton’s comeback was complete when substitutes Kevin Davies and Kevin Nolan combined for the latter to sidefoot home from 18-yards.
The 1,500 Bolton fans celebrated a momentous victory and they can now look forward to Tuesday’s draw in Nyon and the prospect of being paired with some of Europe’s bigger sides.
It was those supporters that had left Allardyce wondering earlier in the day whether he had made the right team selection, having made seven changes from the side which beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the Premiership on Saturday.
“I took a walk along the beachfront this morning and saw more Bolton Wanderers shirts than anything else this side of Bulgaria,” said Allardyce.
“The word then quickly got around just how many fans were here, having spent their hard-earned money to come and watch us.
“I had already selected the side by then and I was concerned that with all the changes we might not be able to perform for them, and to get through, more for their benefit than for ours.
“In the end, we just about got it right, with the changes necessary because of the load we have got.
“I knew I could not let my heart rule my head. I felt there were too many changes, but it had to be done because we have a big local derby against Wigan on Sunday.”
Allardyce felt at one stage his side were on the way out, adding: “Their goal was an absolute peach. As soon as it left his foot I thought ‘blimey, we are in trouble here’.
“But that goal really kicked us into a performance because up until then we were average.
“But finally we managed to make a number of quality runs and put in a number of significant balls into their box to cause them problems.
“You always look for a bit of good fortune, but then there are times when you make your own luck, and I felt we did that with our first goal.
“The quality of Henrik’s cross, in between their goalkeeper and defender, meant the player [Tunchev] had to play the ball.
“The quality of the second goal then got our fans really up for it, and I’m sure they will go out and enjoy themselves tonight. After a wonderful victory, we can now all look forward to the group stages.”
: Stoyan Kolev, Ivanov, Tunchev, Georgi Iliev, Kotev, Vandev (Stoinev 62), Krasimir Dimitrov, Krizmanic (Halimi 80), Jancevski, Djordani, Robert Petrov.
: Walker, N’Gotty, Okocha, Fernandes (Nolan 56), Borgetti (Davies 56), Giannakopoulos, O’Brien (Nakata 66), Faye, Ben Haim, Diouf, Pedersen.
: Jouni Hyytia (Finland).
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