40 mins: Sheehan is taken down by Rodrigues on the halfway line, getting the Bolton man in the face with an accidental elbow.

38 mins: Bolton need to provide a bit more speed to their game to cause Oxford problems. All a bit slow.

36 mins: Brown tracks Collins’ run and gives away a corner with a fine challenge and Oxford have little trouble clearing.

Collins receives the ball in a good position in the box but he cannot control it and Oxford get rid.

34 mins: There is a delay to the restart because Harris needs some treatment but we are underway once again.

Bolton need to step things up, it would seem. They are still struggling to play the ball out from the back.

GOAL! Murphy cuts in from the left and earns a little space just inside the box and takes aims for the far corner. Baxter dives but he is deceived by Santos’ flick which takes it beyond the Bolton goalkeeper.

GOAL! Bolton 0-1 Oxford (Murphy 31)

30 mins: So little is happening that the commentators are now discussing Bolton sub Cameron Jerome.

28 mins: Collins is bodychecked by Brown. The free-kick is around 35 yards from goal but to the right. Bolton try to be clever but it works in no way whatsoever, although they do win a throw.

26 mins: Ogbeta gets down the left flank once more and swings in a cross but Moore is in the way. I am starting to imagine the opening goal will come from a cross.

24 mins: Rodrigues picks up the ball after Dale is fouled. He is allowed to play on and takes aim from 20 yards but whacks his shot over.

22 mins: Oxford’s setup is making it hard for Bolton to play out from the back. There is little space for the centre-backs to use and they need better movement in front of them.

Brannagan brings down Maghoma. The central midfielder is clearly up for this but he might be one more challenge away from a yellow.

Ogbeta swings in a cross from deep and for a split second Cumming is a little worried but the ball lands on top of the net.

20 mins: Charles has struggled to get into the game and when he does receive the ball, he takes too long and eventually gives away a throw-in when tackled.

18 mins: Bolton are starting to show why they are favourites. They a dominating possession but without create the threat Evatt would like.

16 mins: Baxter just about beats Harris to a backpass and whacks the ball down the pitch, although it causes a few nervous seconds in the stands.

Sheehan has Bolton’s first shot of note of the match, pinging an effort from 20 yards which flashes past the post.

14 mins: Both sides a looking to play long balls to find wingers and quickly change the direction of attack. It could be a long day in the sun for wing-backs.

12 mins: Brannagan clatters into Ogbeta. It looks like Oxford are doing their best to show Bolton are in for a physical battle today and will not be bullied.

10 mins: Oxford are looking the more settled side in the early stages. Bolton have lost the ball a couple of times when put under pressure.

8 mins: Andy Hinchcliffe seems very eager to mention Bolton’s Toughsheet Stadium as often as possible. What larks.

6 mins: Goodrham gets the crowd going with some quick feet, defeating a couple of Bolton defenders. Oxford eventually win a corner but Bolton manage to clear the ball.

4 mins: Evatt is having a word with a sub just in case in needs to come on. Maghoma is back on his feet but limping down the touchline while testing his ankle.

Not much early action of note on the pitch.

2 mins: Long flies into Maghoma as a ‘Welcome to Wembley’ challenge. The Bolton man is left on the deck holding his ankle but the Oxford defender got the ball. Maghoma needs some early treatment.

Kick off

The players are out on the pitch! The stands are alive with noise.

These two met in March when Bolton defeated Oxford 5-0. Will that make a difference this afternoon?

Des Buckingham: “This is the most special day. I grew up in the area.

“We stuck to what we have done over the past two or three months. It is about enjoying the present.

“When you come in mid-season, you do not have time to implement ideas, and it takes time to transition. We have tried to get better every week.

“We come here playing some good football and have earned our right to be here. We are up against a Bolton side but it is up to us to go out and show what we can do.”

Ian Evatt: “I think it is a different kind of pressure to last season when we won the EFL Trophy. We have worked all season for this day and it is a great opportunity.

“It’s huge, obviously it’s a massive club but in a cost of living crisis to have 30,000 plus supporters is amazing.

“The players have reset really well and both legs of the Barnsley games we played well.

“They are a confident group anyway. Last season’s experience is good because it allows us to know what works. We came down two days before, did the tourism things yesterday and had no phones today.

“This is our 61st game of the season, so to have time to have a rest plan and put together is a rarity for us.

“We almost lost this club, it’s been a long journey, we are always fighting against the history of this club. We need to be patient. We’ve had highs and lows, but hopefully more highs. We are in a shootout now.”

This is what they are playing for …

Teams

Preamble