Just a few days after punishment in the Welsh capital it was time for Bolton to dish out a hiding and what must rank as one of the more enjoyable games in Steven Schumacher’s tenure.
Amario Cozier-Duberry scored twice, Johnny Kenny, Ruben Rodrigues and Mason Burstow one apiece as the Whites swept Stevenage aside with ruthless efficiency.
Yes, their task was aided by a needless red card for Daniel Phillips at the end of the first half, and, yes, Stevenage never looked close to the awkward customers they have been in the past, but when Bolton turn on the style as they did for large spells of this game it makes it all the more frustrating that they are not closer to those automatic promotion spots.
Wanderers made four changes to the side that lost in Cardiff, with Cozier-Duberry making his first start since late January on the right side of the attack.
Chris Forino, Johnny Kenny and Ruben Rodrigues also came back into the team with Kyle Dempsey, Cyrus Christie, Mason Burstow and Max Conway dropped to the bench.
Schumacher’s side has invariably found a response to a defeat this season and such was the timid manner of that performance in South Wales, they also owed supporters a little extra too.
Perhaps buoyed by the return of Cozier-Duberry, there was an immediate zip in Bolton’s step, a tempo which suggested that the criticism they suffered at the weekend – not least from their own manager – had brought about a positive reaction.
The input of Bolton’s wingers had been brought into question, and it was telling that both first-half goals owed much to the wide men.
Cozier-Duberry’s opener on 13 minutes was a reminder of those heady late summer days when the Brighton loanee first turned up at the Toughsheet. Jordi Osei-Tutu surged into Stevenage territory and after a good advantage played by ref Thomas Parsons, Super Amario picked up the loose ball and arrowed a shot into the bottom corner.
Rodrigues brought a smart save out of Marschall moments later and Kenny pulled a left-footed effort just wide of the post, but Bolton got a little reminder of Stevenage’s threat when Kemp headed just wide from Thompson’s cross.
Nerves were still evident. And though Bolton had been encouraged to take more risks by Schumacher after the weekend, there were a few edgy moments in possession at the back which brought gasps from the crowd.
Bolton’s second came on 30 minutes and was created by some scintillating wing play from Gale which also wound the clock back somewhat. Beating Charlie Goode on the right, he clipped a cross back for Kenny to tuck his shot away.
Josh Sheehan was then involved at both ends, seeing one effort deflected wide of the post and then tracking back to make a fine challenge on Jamie Reid after he had wriggled away from international team-mate Eoin Toal on the left edge of the box.
Stevenage lacked their usual vigour and though Louis Thompson scuffed a shot on to the roof of the net and Carl Piergianni nodded a corner wide, Bolton coped quite comfortably with what they produced. Their life was made even easier just before half time when Daniel Phillips needlessly threw his elbow out on Kenny right in front of the referee and was handed a straight red card.
With a touch more precision Bolton might have extended their lead before the break. Kenny was picked out by a pinpoint kick by Bonham but could only aim his shot at Marschall, and moments later Osei-Tutu – having his best game for some time – failed to take advantage of another good move down the right.
Straight after the restart Stevenage could have got themselves back into the contest. Reid had a shot beaten away by Bonham and Harvey White blasted his follow-up just over the bar. Within moments the visitors were made to regret their miss as Rodrigues and Dalby combined to give Cozier-Duberry his second goal of the night and his ninth of the season overall.
Wanderers had the luxury of taking their double goalscorer off a few minutes later along with Sam Dalby, knowing they could now put up their feet and rest for Huddersfield’s visit at the weekend.
Replacement Rob Apter very nearly grabbed his first Bolton goal with his first action after coming on to the pitch, squeezing a shot narrowly wide of the post.
Burstow wasn’t far away from scoring the fourth either, curling a gorgeous shot just wide after a rapid exchange of passes with Kenny, Gale and Rodrigues.
Quite out of the blue Stevenage got themselves on the board, Kemp picking up a loose ball just outside the box and smashing a right-footed shot into the top corner to beat Bonham’s despairing dive.
Wanderers continued undeterred and restored the three-goal cushion within a few minutes – Burstow feeding Rodrigues, who cut in from the left side of the box to roll his shot into the bottom corner.
Apter, Gale and Sheehan sent shots on Marschall’s goal looking for a fifth but that finally arrived nine minutes from time. Kyle Dempsey, another substitute, saw his stinging shot parried by the Stevenage keeper and Burstow stole in to score his 12th of the season.
There was no question it was the most convincing 90 minutes of the campaign, and that includes the five scored at Exeter. Kyle Dempsey came mightily close to making it a half dozen, sneaking in on Sheehan’s through ball and stabbing a shot just wide.
Ibrahim Cissoko was able to entertain the home fans in the closing stages, his step-overs and swaggering going down much better with his side four goals to the good.
These two sides may see their paths cross again in the play-offs… But Bolton should draw on experience and take nothing for granted. Oxford and all that.