Aaron Collins Opens Bolton Account With Decisive Goal In Cambridge Victory

Aaron Collins made a significant impact for Bolton Wanderers by scoring his first goal for the club, contributing to a vital 2-0 victory over Cambridge United in the Sky Bet League One. This win has injected new life into Bolton's aspirations for automatic promotion. Collins, who transferred from Bristol Rovers, had not found the back of the net in his previous seven appearances. However, his perseverance paid off in the 66th minute when he converted a pass from Paris Maghoma into a decisive goal.

The Welsh forward nearly added to his tally but saw another attempt cleared off the line by Cambridge's Liam Bennett. This performance was a strong comeback for Bolton, who had experienced consecutive defeats against Blackpool and Wigan. Despite these setbacks, Ian Evatt's team showed resilience and determination, avoiding a third consecutive loss.

The match saw early opportunities for Bolton to take the lead. Josh Dacres-Cogley hit the bar with a cross from Collins just seven minutes into the game, while Jack Stevens made crucial saves from Dacres-Cogley and Ricardo Santos. Midfielder George Thomason broke the deadlock with a right-footed strike from 18 yards out, marking his fifth goal of the season at the 35-minute mark.

Cambridge United, who had previously lost 2-1 to Bolton last month, nearly equalized in the 59th minute. James Brophy's shot went just over the bar following a cross from Sullay Kaikai. However, Collins' goal ensured Bolton doubled their lead and maintained pressure on the top two teams in the league, Peterborough and Derby.

This victory is crucial for Bolton as they continue their pursuit of automatic promotion. The team's ability to bounce back after recent defeats demonstrates their resilience and commitment to achieving their season objectives. Aaron Collins' breakthrough goal could be a turning point for him at Bolton, providing the confidence boost needed as the season progresses.