England Under-21s cruised to a 7-0 victory against Luxembourg in their first game at Bolton since 2002.
There were more than 11,500 supporters in attendance at the Toughsheet Community Stadium as the Young Lions continued their strong form in Euro qualifying.
Wanderers fans had hoped to see James Trafford back at his old stomping ground, but the young goalkeeper was instead with the senior squad for their friendly against Belgium at Wembley after replacing the injured Sam Johnstone.
Lee Carsley’s side started with intensity and the first chance fell to Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott, who forced Noah Scheidweiler into a smart stop.
Jarell Quansah thought he had opened the scoring after getting on the end of Elliott’s free kick, but the defender’s header crept just wide.
England didn’t have to wait much longer to go in front, with Chelsea prospect Noni Madueke providing a composed finish into the bottom corner.
McAtee was then denied from close range after latching onto Elliott’s intelligent pass. Madueke also had a chance for a second but failed to make a clean connection with the goal at his mercy.
Iling-Junior doubled the lead minutes before the break, rifling home at the far post after some good work by Archie Gray.
Carsley’s side picked up where they left off in the second half and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens added a third after combining with Elliott, who continued to pull the strings from midfield.
The visitors nearly pulled one back at the other end when Fabio Lohei crashed an effort off the bar from a tight angle.
Madueke made it four, beating his man with a clever turn before arrowing a left-footed strike into the corner.
Morgan Rogers got the fifth less than 30 seconds after coming off the bench, sweeping home Madueke’s cut back.
The sixth came when Iling-Junior headed home Alex Scott’s corner and Rogers wrapped up the result nine minutes from time, rounding Scheidweiler before tapping into the empty net.
Luxembourg were again denied by the woodwork in the final stages when Ivan Englaro’s strike hit the inside of the post and stayed out.
Tickle, Gray (Norton-Cuffy 61), Harwood-Bellis (Mengi 61), Quansah, Iling-Junior (Doyle 75), Elliott, Scott, McAtee (Wharton 70), Bynoe-Gittens, Stansfield (Rogers 61), Madueke. Unused: Morton, Philogene, Cox, Wood.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel