Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 3, Rotherham United 2.
BoltonBolton Wanderers3RotherhamRotherham United2
Joe Mason scored a 24-minute second-half hat-trick to propel Bolton Wanderers to their first Championship win of the season against Rotherham.
The 23-year-old, on loan from Cardiff, equalised with a right-foot finish after Anthony Wordsworth had fired the visitors ahead from a free-kick.
Mason headed Bolton 2-1 ahead only for substitute Jordan Bowery to bring the Millers level.
| Hat-trick hero |
|---|
| Joe Mason's hat-trick is the first by a Wanderers player since German Fredi Bobic in April 2002. |
But Bolton secured all three points when Mason fired home from close range.
Bolton's first win since 26 April lifted Dougie Freedman's side to 21st in the table on five points from seven matches.
Rotherham, now without a win in three games, are down to 19th with seven points from seven fixtures.
Mason, who is on a season-long loan from Cardiff City, proved the difference between the two teams as his clinical finishing settled an absorbing game.
It helped pacify restless home supporters, with some unfurling a 'Freedman Out' banner before kick-off after a poor start to the campaign.
Bolton manager Dougie Freedman:
"I do believe the kid [Joe Mason] has a big future.
"He is still learning his trade and unfortunately for him Cardiff are blessed with lots of strikers. But we can guarantee him game time and in my opinion Joe will get you a fair share of goals.
"In the end it could have been more than the scoreline suggests. The second half was a fantastic display from everyone in the team to get back in the game."
Rotherham assistant boss Paul Raynor:
"We pride ourselves on our character.
"We have come into a difficult division with some massive clubs and acquitted ourselves very well.
"We set up with more of an adventurous shape in our side because we thought we could cause Bolton problems and that's how it proved."
Line-ups
Bolton
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 24Lonergan
- 5Ream
- 3Moxey
- 4Mills
- 14Dervite
- 16DaviesSubstituted forKamaraat 85'minutes
- 6Spearing
- 21PratleyBooked at 35minsSubstituted forFeeneyat 59'minutes
- 18DannsSubstituted forLeeat 58'minutes
- 9Mason
- 28Davies
Substitutes
- 7Feeney
- 10Beckford
- 19Garvan
- 26Hughes
- 27Lee
- 34Fitzsimons
- 44Kamara
Rotherham
Formation 4-4-2
- 21CollinBooked at 90mins
- 20Morgan
- 16Richardson
- 3Skarz
- 4Arnason
- 26TaylorSubstituted forBoweryat 78'minutes
- 33Smallwood
- 11Green
- 28Wordsworth
- 27DerbyshireSubstituted forClarke-Harrisat 67'minutes
- 22BecchioSubstituted forRevellat 56'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Loach
- 5Broadfoot
- 8Frecklington
- 9Revell
- 10Bowery
- 18Pringle
- 29Clarke-Harris
- Referee:
- Neil Swarbrick
- Attendance:
- 13,630
Match Stats
Home TeamBoltonAway TeamRotherham
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home9
- Away6
- Corners
- Home7
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 3, Rotherham United 2.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Andy Lonergan (Bolton Wanderers) because of an injury.
Booking
Adam Collin (Rotherham United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Andy Lonergan (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Adam Collin (Rotherham United).
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Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Tim Ream.
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Corner, Bolton Wanderers. Conceded by Craig Morgan.
Post update
Attempt saved. Joe Mason (Bolton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Lee Chung-Yong.
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Offside, Rotherham United. Paul Green tries a through ball, but Jonson Clarke-Harris is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Kári Arnason (Rotherham United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Joe Skarz.
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Attempt missed. Joe Mason (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lee Chung-Yong.
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Attempt saved. Joe Skarz (Rotherham United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jonson Clarke-Harris with a headed pass.
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Attempt blocked. Anthony Wordsworth (Rotherham United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Attempt blocked. Anthony Wordsworth (Rotherham United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Matt Mills (Bolton Wanderers).
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Jordan Bowery (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Medo replaces Mark Davies.
Goal!
Goal! Bolton Wanderers 3, Rotherham United 2. Joe Mason (Bolton Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal following a set piece situation.
