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Leyton Orient were Wanderers’ first cup opponents at the new Reebok Stadium back on September 30, 1997.
Fans were left upset at the club’s decision to charge full price for the game, which ended up being watched by a paltry 6,444, after full houses in the first few Premier League outings.
Bolton led 3-1 after the first leg as goals from Andy Todd, Per Frandsen and John McGinlay put them into a commanding position.
Those who did splash the cash for the return leg were treated to an eight-goal thriller – Nathan Blake scoring twice, McGinlay and Arnar Gunnlaugsson one apiece in a hugely entertaining affair.
Sadly, that proved to be McGinlay’s last goal for Bolton, the Scot moving on to Bradford City a month later.
The last league meeting between Bolton and Leyton Orient was in 1993, Andy Walker scoring the only goal at Burnden Park for Bruce Rioch’s side.
And Wanderers’ last league visit to Brisbane Road came earlier that season, a 1-0 defeat at a time when Rioch was still battling to create a team which was destined for promotion.
The modern-day Leyton Orient have made a good start to the season but have yet to win a game at home.
Part of that success has been down to ex-Bolton Wanderers striker Connor Wilkinson, who has already matched his goal tally for the whole of last season, scoring six in his first nine games.
“I think it was tough for him last year but for Connor, as well as one or two others, coming into that environment last year would have been extremely difficult,” said manager Ross Embleton.
“Throughout the season Connor would have to play in two or three different positions as the circumstances changed and it was tough.
“It is hard to come into a new club and settle anyway but not to make excuses for him because we had a really good meeting into the summer and I said to him I thought there was more to come. I think he can be one of the best strikers at this level and the one above if he really pushed himself to do so. And Conor agreed.
“Since then we have seen a different approach from him. I’m delighted with the way he’s performing.”
Embleton also believes Wanderers are starting to look more like the promotion challengers many expected them to be this season.
“It is a huge club and it has really suffered,” he said. “We have been looking at their video footage this week and every time you look at the screen you expect to see Jay-Jay Okocha, Kevin Nolan or someone that’s had a top, top career.
“Some top players in the world have played at that club in the not-too-distant past.
“It’s very important to remember what a massive club it is even though it has gone through setbacks.
“They have signed some really good players for our level, maybe not got off to the start they wanted, but they are starting to find themselves now.”
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Fans were left upset at the club’s decision to charge full price for the game, which ended up being watched by a paltry 6,444, after full houses in the first few Premier League outings.
Bolton led 3-1 after the first leg as goals from Andy Todd, Per Frandsen and John McGinlay put them into a commanding position.
Those who did splash the cash for the return leg were treated to an eight-goal thriller – Nathan Blake scoring twice, McGinlay and Arnar Gunnlaugsson one apiece in a hugely entertaining affair.
Sadly, that proved to be McGinlay’s last goal for Bolton, the Scot moving on to Bradford City a month later.
The last league meeting between Bolton and Leyton Orient was in 1993, Andy Walker scoring the only goal at Burnden Park for Bruce Rioch’s side.
And Wanderers’ last league visit to Brisbane Road came earlier that season, a 1-0 defeat at a time when Rioch was still battling to create a team which was destined for promotion.
The modern-day Leyton Orient have made a good start to the season but have yet to win a game at home.
Part of that success has been down to ex-Bolton Wanderers striker Connor Wilkinson, who has already matched his goal tally for the whole of last season, scoring six in his first nine games.
“I think it was tough for him last year but for Connor, as well as one or two others, coming into that environment last year would have been extremely difficult,” said manager Ross Embleton.
“Throughout the season Connor would have to play in two or three different positions as the circumstances changed and it was tough.
“It is hard to come into a new club and settle anyway but not to make excuses for him because we had a really good meeting into the summer and I said to him I thought there was more to come. I think he can be one of the best strikers at this level and the one above if he really pushed himself to do so. And Conor agreed.
“Since then we have seen a different approach from him. I’m delighted with the way he’s performing.”
Embleton also believes Wanderers are starting to look more like the promotion challengers many expected them to be this season.
“It is a huge club and it has really suffered,” he said. “We have been looking at their video footage this week and every time you look at the screen you expect to see Jay-Jay Okocha, Kevin Nolan or someone that’s had a top, top career.
“Some top players in the world have played at that club in the not-too-distant past.
“It’s very important to remember what a massive club it is even though it has gone through setbacks.
“They have signed some really good players for our level, maybe not got off to the start they wanted, but they are starting to find themselves now.”
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