WANDERERS youngster Max Conway provided one of the weekend’s best goals in the EFL – and is hoping to add to his highlight reel during a loan spell with Crewe.

Watched by his family, the 21-year-old wing-back scored his first professional goal in spectacular style on Saturday, with a mazy run and finish against Doncaster Rovers.

Conway has already featured 13 times for the League Two Railwaymen and has been adding to his reputation as one of the best young talents Bolton have produced in recent seasons.

Describing his goal, the academy graduate reckoned all the hard work was done by the time he reached the penalty box.

“I heard the guy running behind me so I felt I had to cut across him and it opened up for a shot and I saw their player sliding across, so I thought I might as well chop this back, and it all opened up for me again,” he said. “The last bit was probably the easiest bit, to be honest.

“It was a good goal and hopefully I can grab a few more in my time here.

“Back a few seasons ago I was scoring a few, probably didn’t get as many as I would have liked last year, but this is such an attacking team if I can get into the right positions, I’ll back myself to score.”

Crewe are currently ninth in the table and have now taken points off two of the division’s big guns in Gillingham and Doncaster Rovers in successive outings.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw at the LNER Stadium Conway said he was getting exactly what he wanted from the loan spell, which runs until the end of the season.

“I can’t begin to tell you how delighted I am with my decision to come to this football club,” he said.

“So far, I have loved absolutely every minute of it and hopefully we can keep going the way we are, and I can keep enjoying it the way I am.

“Last week I was playing centre-mid, which is slightly different to what I am used to but I had to do it for the team. Today I was back at left wing-back, my most natural position, and it’s good to be back there. But I think the lads have gelled really well and at times we play some unbelievable football, so it’s about doing that on a more consistent basis and the results will come.”

Conway is also confident that Lee Bell’s team can mount a challenge for promotion in a competitive division this season and return to the third tier for the first time since 2021.

“I think we proved today and last week, Doncaster were the favourites at the start of the season, Gillingham were top of the league, We have taken four points, so we definitely can compete,” he added.

Wanderers used Conway extensively on the left side of their attack during the summer as Randell Williams got back to full fitness and the club waited for a deal to go through for Szabolcs Schön.

When Ian Evatt had more senior options available he gave the green light to Crewe to make their move, and Conway – who had previously had spells at AFC Fylde and Rochdale in the National League – was sent out with a brief to use the opportunity to its fullest.

“We are not doing this to get him out of the way, we are doing it to develop him,” said the Bolton boss.

“Whatever department that might be in – psychologically, physically, technically, it will help him and bring him on for our team because we think he has got a future here, with Bolton.

“Max has done incredibly well during pre-season. We have really needed him to and he has stood up to the challenge. He has got a really good future here, but it is important that he gets a full season under his belt somewhere because it will mature him.”

Another of Wanderers’ loanees, Nelson Khumbeni, has also gained experience in League Two this season with Accrington Stanley.

The midfielder, who turned 22 yesterday, has made 10 appearances in all competitions for John Doolan’s side but missed out on their 2-1 win at Gillingham at the weekend.