Bolton Wanderers begin their Papa Johns Trophy campaign this evening with a home clash against Crewe Alex.
The Cheshire side make the short journey to the University of Bolton Stadium this evening for a 7pm kick-off. It is the start of the proceedings in Group B of the Northern section for Wanderers.
Tranmere Rovers and Leeds United's under-21s are the other sides in the group. The top two will qualify for the next stage of the competition.
READ MORE:Bolton have already made £20,000 from Papa Johns Trophy & how much Wanderers could earn
The top two teams in the group will progress to the last 32 of the competition and the knockout phase. Wanderers were beaten at the last 16 phase last season by Hartlepool United.
Changes are set to be made by Wanderers boss Ian Evatt and a few players could return from injury this evening for the first team in the form of Josh Sheehan and Lloyd Isgrove. Eoin Toal could also be handed his debut for Bolton following his summer signing from Derry City.
We'll be live throughout the evening to cover the clash. We'll bring you all the build-up, team news, match action and reaction as Wanderers seek to get their Papa Johns Trophy campaign up and running with a win.
Wanderers did just that with a 4-1 victory over the Alex and took the lead early on through Amadou Bakayoko. However, the Railwaymen drew level not long after through Courtney Baker-Richardson
Bolton went ahead after the break thanks to Dion Charles, before Kieran Sadlier added a third with a classy finish. Charles added his second and Bolton's fourth before the end to ensure a 4-1 win.
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Key Events
Player ratings from this evening
Several impressive performances across the pitch from the Wanderers players and here's how we rated them.
Ian Evatt's reaction plus transfer window update
Ian Evatt gave his reaction to the win this evening over Crewe, plus a latest transfer window update with some 48 hours or so to go until the deadline - you can read it here.
Evatt on returning players
Great to see Josh back. Really happy and pleased for him. He has worked really hard in his rehabilitation. His attitude has been first class. He will progress from that again. I thought Eoin was fantastic on his debut, he has settled in really well considering he has not trained too much with us. The understanding of how to play out, where to go, where to position yourself and his defensive work – his aerial dominance, his duels. It is a good start for him.
Evatt on win
I thought some of our football tonight was breathtaking at times, really good. Still annoyed with the goal new conceded and the fact that we had so many chances that it really could have been a lot more than it was. But I thought the way we moved the ball and looked after the ball at times, they found it very hard to cope and manage us. Then the last 20 minutes, they were fatigued on their feet because they had chased it for so long and we really took advantage. A good performance and we have to build on that now and get our confidence back that has been knocked last week.
Ian Evatt's reaction
We'll bring you the post match thoughts of Wanderers boss Ian Evatt as soon as we can
FT: Bolton 4-1 Crewe
Wanderers have their first win in the Papa Johns this season as a brace from Charles and a Sadlier goal sees them claim three points in their first group game
Nearly a hat trick
Charles goes wide of goal and shoots but Richards gets enough on it to keep it out
GOAL: Bolton 4-1 Crewe (Charles)
Lovely pass from Thomason to release Iredale who puts in a low cross across goal for Charles to fire into the roof of the net
GOAL: Bolton 3-1 Crewe (Sadlier)
Lovely stuff from Wanderers to finally get the third - Kachunga plays in Sadlier and it's a great finish from the January signing
Richards
Richards is keeping Crewe in this - his feet denies Kachunga, before his gloves stop Bradley
Nearly a third
Kachunga finds Charls, who changes possession with Thomason, before shooting and Richards keeps it out
GOAL: Bolton 2-1 Crewe (Charles)
Wanderers are back in the lead as Kachunga puts in a great ball for Charles, who takes a touch to get past his man, goes around Richards and slots home
Block
Iredale finds Kachunga in the box and Offord puts in a great challenge to deny him
Block
Johnston defends well vs Agyei - at the other end, Offord gets enough on the ball to take it away from Kachunga
Bolton subs
Sheehan, Bakayoko, Afolayan and Toal off
Santos, Williams, Kachunga and Charles on
Nearly
Bakayoko tries to slip in Sadlier but the Alex defence get a touch on it and Richards claims
Sheehan
Sheehan picks up the ball ahead of Sambou and drives forward, as Richards claims his cross
Attack
A flowing move involving Sheehan, Bakayoko and Afolayan ends as Iredale tries to cross but Crewe manage to clear
