Striker Daeshon Lawrence is loving life with the new-look Under-21s after starting the season with a bang, writes Pete Oliver.
Lawrence has spearheaded the Whites’ charge to the top of the Professional Development League with six goals in the opening five games.
Julian Darby’s side has won all of those to set the early pace as his young charges make the most of the chance to compete in a new competition following the Academy’s elevation to Category 2 status.
“We started with the QPR game in the cup and we did get beat, but I feel like after that we've shown we've been better as a team. I feel like we've got that match sharpness now to compete and I think that’s shown with playing the same team and beating them, I'd say, quite comfortably,” said Lawrence after Wanderers’ avenged their only loss so far with a 3-1 victory over Rangers to extend their 100 per cent record in the league.
“It’s been nice to have something to prepare for every week and playing new teams at good venues. Last year it was hard to get motivated sometimes when you're not playing as much.
“I feel like now everyone wants to do well and wants to do as well as we can in the league. If we just keep doing what we're doing at the moment, we can thrive and be better.
“It feels like a team. The first-years have stepped up, we’ve got some good new players and we’ve got a lot of the same people from two years ago when we won the league and everyone wants to do the same again. Everyone is quite motivated to try and replicate what we did two years ago.”
Wanderers won the EFL Youth Alliance in 2024/25 when Darby was in charge of the U18s and Lawrence and David Abimbola formed a formidable attacking partnership.
Both featured in the first team towards the end of that season and while not many of those opportunities have yet come around again – and Abimbola has moved on – Lawrence is continuing to develop his game and look a real threat in partnership with Toby Ritchie in an attack-minded U21 team now coached by Darby following the end of the ‘B Team’ era.
Lawrence’s opening goal against QPR at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Monday – calmly finished after being set up by flying wingman Max Lott – took him to half-a-dozen goals already as the top scorer in the league as the young Whites to continue to make their mark in more elevated surroundings.
“I'd say last year people probably couldn't see as much and everything was kind of behind closed doors. I feel like now people understand what's going on and the fans can see what's going on more with this team,” added Lawrence, who at 19 is into his second season as a professional with Wanderers
“I'm happy. I've just got to keep going and try to score as many goals as possible and help the team, really. I feel like I'm improving, especially after last year. I feel like when you have more games, you improve a lot more. I feel like that's helped me a lot and I'm just trying to get in the gym as much as possible.
“It has been difficult sometimes, but you've just got to try and keep motivated and whenever you get your chance to go up and train (with the first team), you've got to try and do your best every and make an impression. That’s still the main goal – to have a career with Bolton.”
The U21s continue their league campaign at Hull City next Tuesday to kick-start a run of four consecutive away games and next play at the Toughsheet Community Stadium when they again face QPR in the group stage of the Premier League Cup on Monday 2nd November (KO 7pm).
To sponsor an academy player this season, please contact the commercial team on 01204 327562 or email tdavies@bwfc.co.uk
Inset images: Will Lambert