Ryan Hardie got his first goal in a Wanderers’ shirt to help the Whites to a thumping win in the Professional Development League.
Hardie was one of a number of first-teamers who played as an over-age player to build up their match fitness and fired the Whites ahead in the behind-closed-doors game at Lostock.
The on-loan Wrexham frontman was released by Sam Iling-Junior, who then teed up lively winger Max Lott to slot home and make it 2-0 at the break.
Hardie and Iling-Junior both played 45 minutes, with club captain Eoin Toal topping up his fitness with an hour as the young U’s were over-powered.
The Essex boys had beaten Fleetwood Town 4-0 in their league opener and had chances before the break through Adrian Akande and Alexander Faux.
But Wanderers had too much in their locker as Julian Darby’s side made it two wins out of two with five second-half goals.
Substitute Daeshon Lawrence helped himself to a brace, Toby Ritchie added to last week’s winner at Charlton and Lucas Kirkpatrick rounded off the scoring.
The U21s are back in action on Bank Holiday Monday (31st August) when they face Coventry City in a league game at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Kick-off is 1pm with admission £3 adults and £1 concessions. Entry to the stadium will be via turnstile D (adjacent to main reception) in the Bolton Kia West Stand with card payments only.
Wanderers: Harrington, Wilkinson, Oliver, Toal (O’Neill, 60), Paye, Irwin (Leigh HT) Lott (Kirkpatrick 77), Watson, Hardie (Lawrence HT), Ritchie, Iling-Junior (Lewis HT). Substitutes: Lomax, Quirk.
