Bolton Wanderers Women head coach Tom Cunniff called his side’s display at Harrogate Town the best the team has produced. The win took Wanderers into the Second Round of the Women’s FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
Naomi Lawrence, Faye Stanhope and Molly Wood all scored inside the opening 15 minutes at the Marcy Fitness Stadium on Saturday. Wanderers then held firm through driving wind and rain after the break to win 3-1, their 13th consecutive victory of the season.
“It was probably the best we’ve ever played, even though the weather was shocking,” said Cunniff. “We were on it from the very first whistle. We played really good football and got our shots off early and some of the movement and combinations were the best I’ve ever seen with the women’s team.
“Scoring that early goal settled our nerves big time. Then we got another a few minutes later, a really good goal from Faye cutting in from the right, and that settled us down even more.”
Wood had an effort ruled out before she added the third moments later. Harrogate had nothing to lose and came back into the game in the second half. Chloe Marshall pulled one back from range, but Wanderers saw the tie out.
“It’s very hard when you’re 3-0 up,” said Cunniff. “But once we conceded that goal from range, I didn’t feel too nervous. The players really battled and kept digging, and I felt quite comfortable with it.”
Derby County: “The toughest challenge we’ve ever had”
As a reward, Wanderers travel to Derby County Women on Sunday 15 November (2pm). Derby play in Tier 3, two levels above Wanderers.
“It’s probably the toughest challenge we’ve ever had,” said Cunniff. “I don’t think we’ve ever played a Tier 3 team, even in pre-season. But it’s one I’m really excited about, and the players want to test themselves. It’s the FA Cup, so you never know. You couldn’t have got a much harder tie at this stage, but there are no excuses. We’ll go there confident.
“Our main goal is the league and it always has been this year, but we’re going to go as far as we can. We’ll have to play these tough teams at some point, so why not now? We’re all in this to get promoted and then test ourselves against the best teams we possibly can.”
Next up: Penrith at Lostock
First, Wanderers host Penrith at Lostock Training Ground on Sunday 1 November (2pm) in the first round of the NWWRL League Cup. They reached this stage by coming through a qualifying round.
“We were quite convincing against them in pre-season, but we’re a very different team now,” said Cunniff. “It’s slightly different because we’re on a 3G pitch instead of grass, but it’s the same football team, so we’re confident. It’ll be a good test. They’ve not got much to lose, so they’ll come here to try to cause an upset. We just need to be professional and play like we have been doing.”
ADMISSION PRICES
- Free entry for BWFC Women's season ticket holders
- Free entry for children under 16 when accompanied by an adult
- £4 for all other supporters