THE scene was perfect. Bolton's first XI second from bottom without a point and playing without style or purpose, against table-toppers Morecambe.
Time for the return of Bolton's skipper, and what a return, as Steve Way inspired a passionate and skilful performance, lifting the team out of the malaise that has been so prevalent, leading the team to a 4-2 win.
Way's presence added to Bolton's confidence and drew specific attention from the opposition.
Allowing himself to attract two markers allowed others the freedom to play.
John Woods and Chris Williams revelled in the time and space, setting Martin Luke and Peter Flanagan rampaging down the right flank.
Bolton's dominance brought sustained pressure and several chances but only one was taken, Woods flicking a penalty corner high into the net.
Morecambe seemed at a loss to deal with their opponents especially as Bolton's customary defensive solidity had returned, only for a slip by Scott Tobutt to allow them back into the game.
Undaunted, Bolton resumed their control and Woods calmly added a second with a precise penalty corner strike.
Yet they again tried to throw it away in bizarre circumstances. The attentions of ex-Bolton School boy Mark Brickles caused goalkeeper Paul Neville to ease him out of the way with some force resulting in a coolly converted penalty stroke.
For the subsequent 15 minutes or so, Bolton were forced to scrap to remain level but that was ideal for the likes of Guy Mathieson and Toby Jones.
As the storm was weathered, Bolton once again emerged as an attacking force, Woods and Luke both going close before Chris Aitken calmly slotted home in a packed area.
The lead was not to be surrendered again as Bolton played out time, finishing with a sweeping move from Jones to Craig Cook, whose pinpoint cross was clipped home first time by Julian King.
Way may not have scored but his presence proved how much his team missed him and how glad they are he is back.
EVANS sank Sale with a four-goal salvo as Bolton's second XI maintained their 100 per cent successful start to the season.
Their 5-1 win saw the team's Bolton's ever-improving youngsters romp to a third successive league victory, with Owen Evans leading the way with four goals - his eighth in three games. Despite the rain and a tricky surface, Bolton showed pure class with Evans and Adam Friend leading the Sale defence a merry dance.
Bolton started slowly and were slow to adapt to the conditions but Sale couldn't take advantage as the defence of Ian Smith, Mark Emmett, Chris Goldsborough, Richard Guest and skipper Javed Chowdry cleaned up anything that was thrown at them.
The midfield quartet of Chris Dean, Matt Short, Paul Ashurst and Richard Turner all provided the ammunition for Evans and Friend but heroic goalkeeping from the Sale keeper denied Bolton on a number of occasions.
It took a stoppage mid-way through the half to turn the game. Bolton found their feet and inch-perfect pass fromTurner found Evans and with his back to goal, a quick turn deceived the Sale defence and Bolton were one up.
The second followed a minute later when Chowdry sent Ashurst clear.
He fired a cross into for the oncoming Evans to finish at the near post.
In the second half, Bolton rode early pressure until Evans released it by firing in the third to complete his hat-trick.
Not being satisfied with that, he then fired in the fourth.
Friend capped a superb performance by scoring the fifth and a much deserved goal for himself.
Understandably, Bolton relaxed and Sale hit back with a consolation.
Bolton's experiment of pushing the youngsters through, so far, seems to be paying dividends with 15-year-old Chris Goldsborough, Matthew Short and Adam Friend all showing maturity beyond their years and Owen Evan, at 18, now beginning to shine.
BOLTON third XI defeated Formby in a lively match 3-2. The opponents seemed to settle quicker but Jim Shuttleworth's predatory finish to a fast break to snatch the lead.
Having been pegged back, Stuart Wallace move Bolton clear, getting on the end of right moved twice to put Bolton 3-1 up, benefiting from the work of Flanagan, Carney and Shuttleworth. Formby piled on the pressure but could only get one more back, as Bolton held on.
CARL Van Bentum scored a captain's goal but could not prevent his fourth XI from losing 2-1 at Alderley Edge.
Van Bentum equalised from a Damien Pearse cross, after conceding a sloppy opener.
The defence, including the excellent Mark Haworth, were hard pressed and almost survived but a cruel deflection restored Alderley's lead, which they maintained right to the end of the match.
THE fifth XI ground out a gutsy point away at Bowden earning a 0-0 result on a grass pitch in awful conditions.
The defensive unit of Holden, Rimmer, Orth and Parker held strong and after holding their opponents, Bolton almost snatched the win but Rimmer could not convert a penalty stroke won by Matthew Simpson's skills.
THE U16 Badgers lost 2-0 to a strong Timperley side.
The Bolton defence was under pressure for almost the whole match but Rebekah and Bryony Wilmington and Paul Walton were resolute and keeper Jonathan Howard responded with several vital saves.
Even their efforts could not stop everything and the opposition deserved their win with a goal in each half.
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