NATHAN BAXTER…7.
After 70-odd minutes of doing practically nothing the first save of his Bolton career was a stunner. Came up with the goods in stoppage time, too.
GETHIN JONES…7.
Steady as ever. Saw plenty of the ball and his partnership on the right with Josh Dacres-Cogley is improving with each passing week.
RICARDO SANTOS…8.
Looked confident on the ball and just picked off the Cheltenham attackers as will whenever anything threatened to break through. Dominant performance.
JACK IREDALE…7.
His return has been pretty seamless and his range of passing has been much missed. Only got turned once or twice but an encouraging display on the whole.
JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…7.
Had twice as many touches in the Cheltenham half and even ventured infield for a couple of shots at goal. Looking like a good find.
AARON MORLEY…7.
His delivery for the second goal was sublime and sooner or later he is going to get back on the goal trail with Evatt willing his players to shoot from distance.
KYLE DEMPSEY…8.
Absolutely everywhere, especially in the first half. Any loose ball in midfield was being snapped up in an instant and if anyone enjoys a slide tackle more than Dempsey, I haven’t seen them.
JOSH SHEEHAN…7.
Buzzed around midfield and knitted things together well. Seems more willing to add a touch of risk to his passes this season, which is wonderful to see.
RANDELL WILLIAMS…8.
Actually started the day with a couple of loose passes – but improved dramatically, putting in some great balls from the left and going close with a header.
VICTOR ADEBOYEJO…8.5.
Everything but the goal. Gave old head Curits Davies the terrors with his movement and pressing and linked up well with Charles.
DION CHARLES…8.5. MOM
Two goals to start this season’s pile – and a performance that was very Dion Charles. Tenacious D is looking in good tune once again.
Subs: Maghoma 73 (for Dempsey), Nlundulu 73 (for Adeboyejo), Thomason 80 (for Sheehan), Mendes Gomes 80 (for Morley), Jerome 81 (for Charles) Not used: Forrester, Ashworth.
Cheltenham (3-5-2): Southwood; Long, Davies, Freestone; Smith, Sercombe, Thompson, Hammond, Williams; Street, Keena.
Subs: Bradbury, Adshead, Chapman, Harris.
Not used: Olayinka 61 (for Thompson), Ferry 70 (for Olayinka), Goodwin 78 (for Williams).
Tactics: Faced with a tight pitch and a host team who have always used it to their advantage, Evatt knew that tempo was key. Wanderers worked hard over the summer to move the ball more quickly through midfield and some of their build-up here was a joy to watch. All three central midfielders are now adding an attacking threat.
Referee: David Rock 7/10 – Got most of the big calls right. Didn’t ingratiate himself to the home fans after taking an eternity to stop play when Olayinka went down injured. Maybe needed a whisper in his ear from the fourth?
Attendance: 4,898 (1,486)