Burnden Aces

Peterborough United 0-5 Bolton Wanderers

• February 11, 2023 | By Chris Mann
• Short URL: http://b-ac.es/1f59b

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• Dion Charles, League One, Match Reports, Peterborough United, Ricardo Almeida Santos
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• See Also

• Post-Match: Evatt on Bolton's Win at Peterborough United

Bolton marked their 5,000th league fixture with their biggest away win in 22 years, beating Peterborough United 5-0 at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Dion Charles struck a hat-trick, becoming the first Wanderers player to do so on the road in league action since John Thomas hit three at the same venue in January 1988, while former Posh defender Ricardo Almeida Santos helped himself to a brace - his first strikes since joining the Trotters in what was his 118th appearance for the club.

Two of those five came from the penalty spot, both converted by Charles after Shola Shoretire had been felled, as the Whites ended the afternoon level in points with 3rd-placed Ipswich Town in the League One table.

Ian Evatt made two changes to the team that started against Cheltenham Town last time out as Luke Mbete was handed a debut in central defence, while Kieran Lee returned in an advanced midfield role.

Victor Adeboyejo dropped to the substitutes' bench, with Conor Bradley missing out entirely as he began a two-match suspension for accumulating 10 yellow cards.

Peterborough started on the front foot and had their first sight of goal inside four minutes as Ephron Mason-Clark squared to Nathan Thompson, whose drive from distance had to be parried wide by James Trafford in the visiting goal.

Despite their early impetus, Posh fell behind on 12 minutes as Wanderers took the lead courtesy of their captain - and former United defender - Santos.

Aaron Morley stood over a free-kick on the right-hand side. His delivery towards Santos forced a save out of Will Norris, only for the ball to ricochet back into dangerous territory, where Gethin Jones' follow-up was bundled home by Santos for his first goal in what was his 118th appearance for the Trotters.

Hector Kyprianou was booked for making his protestations known to referee Lee Swabey in the immediate aftermath of the goal, as the away side drew first blood.

Santos was involved at the other end moments later, this time failing to deal with the attention of Jonson Clarke-Harris, who forced a save out of Trafford.

Bolton were back on the attack shortly before the half-hour, though, as Eoin Toal and Lee combined to tee-up Morley, whose 25-yard strike sailed harmlessly over Norris' crossbar.

Kyprianou came close to an equaliser on 39 minutes as he reacted quickest to Jack Taylor's blocked shot, but the away side doubled their advantage three minutes before the break after Shoretire was bundled down inside the Peterborough penalty area.

Shoretire was visibly frustrated as Charles took responsibility from 12-yards but the Wanderers' top-goalscorer made no mistake, sending Norris the wrong way to collect his 15th goal of the season.

Evatt's side would take their two-goal cushion into the break but didn't have to wait too long to extend that, as Charles added his second within two minutes of the restart.

Racing on to his own flick, Jones raced away down the right-hand side and advanced into the box before squaring for Charles, who had the simple task of volleying beyond Norris from close range to make it 3-0.

It would be 4-0 just four minutes later as Bolton were awarded yet another penalty for a shove in the back of Shoretire, allowing Charles to complete his hat-trick from the spot as he rolled his effort into the bottom corner.

Peterborough were determined to get themselves on the scoresheet and came close shortly before the hour, only for Trafford to make a full-stretch save fom Clarke-Harris' free-kick, moments before the United forward turned provider for Joe Ward, who was also thwarted by the on-loan goalkeeper.

Mason-Clark curled over on 69 minutes and brought Trafford into action soon thereafter at the end of another attacking move, but it was Bolton who found the net again 13 minutes from time as Santos got his second of the afternoon.

Morley recycled possession after Declan John's corner was only partially cleared and advanced down the left-hand side. His cross was dummied by substitute Cameron Jerome, allowing Santos to pounce from six yards by firing into the net for 5-0.

Mason-Clark saw a shot whistle past the post in the closing stages as the hosts tried to find a late consolation, while he had another effort in stoppage-time loop over the bar.

The final whistle was met with a rousing cheer from the travelling supporters, who saw their team clock up a fourth consecutive league victory for the first time doing so through September and October.

Three points sees Bolton leapfrog Derby County and up into 4th-place in the League One table, level on points with Ipswich Town above them ahead of Tuesday's home clash with Milton Keynes Dons.

Peterborough United: Norris, Thompson (Knight 67), Kent, Edwards, Butler (Ogbeta 52), Kyprianou, Taylor (Thompson 75), Ward, Poku (Jones 75), Mason-Clark, Clarke-Harris (Tshimanga 67)
Subs Not Used: Blackmore, Burrows
Booked: Kyprianou, Poku, Taylor

Bolton Wanderers: Trafford, Mbete (Isgrove 79), Santos, Toal, John (R Williams 79), Morley, Dempsey, Jones, Lee (Sheehan 78), Shoretire (Jerome 63), Charles (Adeboyejo 63)
Subs Not Used: Dixon, Khumbeni
Booked: Charles, Santos, Shoretire
Goals: Santos 12,77 Charles 42(pen),47,51(pen)

Referee: Lee Swabey
Attendance: 9,247

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