Daeshon Lawrence is spearheading a perfect start for Bolton Wanderers' under-21 side, scoring six goals in five games to lead the Professional Development League. The 19-year-old striker’s prolific form has powered the young Trotters to five consecutive victories, setting a formidable early pace in the competition.

Lawrence, now in his second professional season, is the clear focal point of an attack-minded team coached by Julian Darby. He has formed a new partnership with Toby Ritchie this term, a dynamic that has quickly delivered results. The only blemish on their campaign so far was an early cup defeat to Queens Park Rangers, a result they emphatically avenged with a 3-1 league victory.

"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," Lawrence said. "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."

The current U21 squad blends experience from the club’s successful 2024/25 EFL Youth Alliance-winning side with promising new arrivals. Lawrence was a key part of that title-winning team alongside David Abimbola, who has since moved on. The striker also earned first-team minutes towards the end of that season, a path he is determined to follow again.

"It feels like a team," Lawrence added. "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."

His immediate focus is on maintaining momentum through a challenging run of fixtures, starting with a trip to Hull City on Tuesday. That match kicks off a sequence of four consecutive away games, testing the squad’s depth and resilience. Fans will get another chance to see the young side in action at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Monday 2nd November, when they host QPR again in the Premier League Cup group stage.

Lawrence’s goalscoring exploits provide a bright spot for the club as the senior team handles a mixed start to the Championship season. Bolton Wanderers sit 15th in the second tier with 10 points from eight games, a position they will look to improve when they host seventh-placed Stoke City on 10th October.

The development squad’s progress is a key indicator of the club’s health, with several players aiming to make the step up. Lawrence’s ambition is clear: to keep scoring, stay motivated, and force his way into the manager’s plans for the long term. Supporters can follow the progress of all the club’s young talents on our dedicated squad page. The U21s face Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The original report is at Bolton Wanderers FC