Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Preston North End - Big Match Verdict

Test number one of 46 was passed with flying colours by Steven Schumacher and his side on a glorious afternoon which really did underline how far the club has come since they previously played at this level.

The last time a Bolton side sampled victory in this division was March 2019, when Phil Parkinson’s troubled side beat Millwall 2-1 in front of just over 13,000 supporters – a game played out against a backdrop of protests, unpaid bills and boardroom unrest.

Seven years later, a sold-out stadium of more than 26,000 watched the modern-day Whites race into a 2-0 lead inside 25 swashbuckling minutes, then bite their fingernails to the quick as Preston’s late bombardment to try and snatch back a point fell just short.

The jittery final 10 minutes felt a touch unnecessary, given how well Wanderers had played on the day, but never underestimate this club’s flair for the dramatic, it is what keeps those paying patrons coming back.

Much has been said and written about the squad Schumacher has assembled since beating Stockport County at Wembley in May.

And without the services of the suspended Xav Simons and the injured Ruben Rodrigues, there were some who felt the starting line-up in the play-off final was stronger than the one about to tackle old Lancastrian rivals North End.

This summer’s recruitment has felt bumpy, and whether that is down to a lack of resources, the World Cup, or a mixture of both, is up for debate.

But after a few months of speculating which of Wanderers’ players could cope with the step up in class, or whether a lack of experience would be immediately shown up, the team has given a definitive answer.

From the moment Sam Dalby calmly stroked home the opening goal after Daniel Iversen had pushed aside John McAtee’s bouncing shot, the Whites looked at home.

Aided once again by McAtee, Thierry Gale curled in a superb second on 25 minutes to leave the terraces singing about topping the lunchtime table and forgetting all the weeks of moping and complaining about the perceived lack of transfer activity.

Wanderers have added nine players this summer – and the fact that they ran out of steam somewhat in the latter stages of the second half shows that Schumacher and his staff still have plenty of work to do if they are going to reproduce this sort of result on a regular basis.

New signings such as Ryan Hardie, Samuel Iling-Junior and Lewis Brunt came off the bench late on in difficult circumstances, just as Preston were starting to believe they could get level.

Jusef Erabi’s fine header got them to within a goal and had Liam Lindsay put either of his presentable chances on target in stoppage time, we might be writing about Bolton’s first harsh Championship lesson.

This is not the time to dwell on the negatives, however, and if Wanderers are to stay safe this season, there will be times when they had to ride their luck; make no apology for that.

Instead, some due praise for Schumacher, who resisted any temptation to hold firm and defend a result, naming an attacking team which pressed hard from the first minute.

Max Conway was picked at left-back, turning in one of his most mature performances since breaking into the first team.

McAtee replaced the injured Rodrigues at number 10 and had a major hand in two goals.

He would have had a hat-trick of assists had referee Adam Herczeg not disallowed a second Dalby strike for an apparent push on a defender.

Many words have been used to describe the former Luton Town man – not all of them complementary – but here, he was a right royal pain in Preston’s behind, and he warranted every moment of the standing ovation he got leaving the field.

Josh Sheehan has waited his whole career to play in the Championship and spent the last five years doing everything he could to do it with Bolton.

Wearing the captain’s armband, the Wales international instantly looked a natural.

He too got a moment of good fortune when he steamed into a challenge on Adam Hughes having already received a yellow card for a cynical trip on Alfie Devine, but thankfully referee Herczeg was in forgiving mood.

There were honourable mentions all over the pitch but perhaps none more unexpected than for Ethan Erhahon, who had not played a moment in pre-season because of a calf injury, but who somehow managed to get through 90-plus minutes of hard graft, underlining why Bolton simply must get him fully fit and available.

It seems likely that the Bolton supporters will take to Luca Stephenson, the ex-Liverpool full-back whose energy and enthusiasm make him a tremendously watchable presence on the right.

And in front of him, the more experienced Spaniard, Gaizka Larrazabal – or Larra, to his friends – showing touches of class in a wing position that is not completely natural to him.

Akin Famewo looked a strong and commanding presence alongside Chris Forino, whose celebrations after denying Milutin Osmanjic a clear shot on goal in the first half were a pleasure to see.

None of the starting line-up deserves to go without mention – and a nod to Jack Bonham too for his brave save at the feet of Osmanjic midway through the second half, with the game still finely poised.

At this stage of their infancy as a Championship club, every opponent represents a significant challenge.

A simple glance at Preston’s deep options on the bench shows the quality gap Schumacher is trying to bridge with one of the division’s lowest budgets.

The most important factors don’t cost money, however, and if Wanderers can continue to compete with such heart, and their supporters keep backing in such strength and number, then the head coach is right… this is going to be some ride indeed.