Josh Sheehan is relieved to have ended his Wembley misery following Wanderers’ emphatic win against Plymouth in the Papa Johns Trophy final.
Sheehan has twice been on the losing side in play-off finals and also tasted defeat at the famous venue while Tottenham were using it as their temporary home.
But the post-match scenes were very different this time around as Ian Evatt’s men ran riot in the capital.
“It was the perfect day to be honest,” said Sheehan. “From the first minute, it couldn’t have gone any better. Getting the early goal obviously makes a big difference but it was just perfect.
“It makes a big difference because I think it probably took a lot of pressure off the boys. We could play our game and it showed.
“They had a bit of the ball towards the end of the first half, but that is football. We just rode it out and the second half was even better.
“Every Bolton fan coming here today, obviously the last time they were here they lost. To put that right and play the way we did with the scoreline, it was unbelievable.
“If any club deserves it, it is ours. What happened three years ago, it should never happen to any club. To see almost a full house and play how we did, it couldn’t have gone any better.”
Sheehan had to be patient during the first half of the campaign following a lengthy spell out of action, but he has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks.
“Probably the last two games – even the friendly behind closed doors – we just looked like ourselves,” he added.
“We were confident coming into this game because we know what we can do. It was just going out there, enjoying it and playing our game.
“Thankfully, the early goal probably settled our nerves even quicker than what we would have thought and it was just perfect.
“That is what we want to do every game, we want to play exactly like that. On the ball and off the ball, that is exactly how we want to play. We could have scored five, six or seven to be honest. We want to do that every game.”
Wanderers have a chance of returning to Wembley in the play-offs, with Evatt’s men currently sitting in the top six.
“I wouldn’t mind it,” Sheehan grinned. “That has always been the focus, the league.
“This was a good day out for the fans, it couldn’t have gone any better. But straight back into it on Friday. We are away at Exeter so that will be our focus.”
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