CHRIS Aitken has been part of two championship winning sides in the last five years, and yet spent last season in the Second XI.

He has also been in the side twice humiliated by Welsh side Plas Coch, yet missed Bolton's first win against them 12 months ago.

Now, having forced his way back into the side, and having opened his account at Morecambe last week, Aitken was ready for pay back, and thankfully Bolton secured all three points with the score Aitken 2 Plas Coch 1.

Bolton began sluggishly, and rode their luck, as their opponents enjoyed possession, but to no profit. However, as the midfield warmed up, the combination of Way, Williams, Woods, Luke and Flanagan began to carve their way through. In crowd-pleasing fashion, Bolton's movement was fluid, and their passing crisp, only their finishing seemed to have suffered.

The penalty corner routine was misfiring, Woods forcing a high save from the only one, which clicked. Open play chances also appeared to have slipped away -- Aitken put clean through by Way could not convert, and Flanagan blazed wide from in front of an empty net.

Finally, possession became goals. Aitken pounced from short range after Woods' persistence had guided the ball goalwards. A second followed for Aitken, who clinically finished a sweeping move. 2-0 at half time and cruising.

The breakthrough did come in unconventional fashion, as Mathieson's bodily sacrifice on the goal line stopped a goal but conceded a penalty stroke.

Paul Neville was only to be beaten that once, as he used all parts to keep his goal secure, but even he needed the assistance of a post to preserve Aitken's win.

Bolton 2nd's superb start to the season was about to face it's most sternest test as they faced Liverpool University away, with a much understrength team.

For the first quarter of the match Bolton they relied on the big clearances from the back for Owen Evans, Paul Ashurst and Adam Friend to run on to and to try and force an attack. For short spells it worked well as the trio put pressure on the Liverpool defence.

In the second half Bolton began to play their game and Matthew Short soon began to stamp his authority in the midfield.

It was inevitable that Liverpool took the lead, as a free hit just out side the "D" was deflected through a crowd of players, past the helpless Chris Goldsborough in the Bolton goal. As Bolton battled for an equaliser, a rash challenge from Ashurst resulted in a yellow card and a sin bin for his misdemeanour. So with Bolton down to ten men, their top scorer on the bench, and with seconds remaining, it looked like a defeat was on the cards. Cometh the man, cometh the hour, or in this case boy, as 15 year old Friend fired in the equaliser, to the relief of the Bolton skipper and the rest of team.

Bolton's Third XI won 3-1 away at Northop Hall. Being level at half time after Lee Williams had opened the scoring after only five minutes, captain David Tonge assisted his side's dominance of the second half with two fine strikes, as Mark Bailey's presence in the Bolton defence ensured that the home team's efforts went unrewarded.

Bolton Fourth XI had to come from behind to beat Deeside Ramblers 2-1. Deeside took their first chance to snatch the lead as Bolton squandered several opportunities, before captain Carl Van Bentum profited from Chris Hoddle's skill to equalise. Bolton produced some good hockey in the second half, but Hoddle could only hit the post or shoot narrowly wide form the best chances. Damien Pearse finally cracked home the winner, after a dazzling run and cross from Yogan Patel.

Bolton Fifth XI lost their encounter with Northop Hall 3-1. A defensive mix up gifted Northop their opener, but an excellent solid goal from Matthew Simpson, starting wide on the left, ensured parity at half time. Bolton could not benefit from sustained pressure thereafter, despite a series of penalty corners and were killed off by two late goals.

The U14 Beavers continued their impressive early season with a 1-0 win away at Deeside Ramblers. Bolton's goal was from a fast break, the talents of Flanagan, Golding and Walton combined to send Walton clear, who finished with consummate skill. Robert Davis kept his goal secure, assisted by four members of the Patel family and three Wilmingtons.