Bolton Wanderers Women made it seven wins from seven with a 3-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra at The Ginge Power Stadium on Sunday, but head coach Tom Cunniff was in no doubt it was the toughest test of the campaign so far.
Wanderers started slowly, with a slick move putting them ahead through Molly Wood and Natasha Dale before Abbie Brown finished coolly left-footed, but Crewe hit back with a long free kick to level things at 1-1 early in the second half. Lauren Sharples, relentless throughout and unlucky to see a free kick ruled out when replays suggested it had crossed the line, restored the lead before Ella Tweedle made it 3-1 late on to settle a contest Crewe pushed until the final whistle.
“It was definitely our toughest task so far. For parts of that game they matched us,” said Cunniff. “They were good going forward and we're lucky to have Annabelle White behind us. She kept us in it and that's when the goal that settled us came from some good, patient play.”
A switch from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2 after the equaliser, matching Crewe's lack of natural wingers, changed the course of the game, with Poppy Wallis's energy off the bench at wing-back a particular difference-maker. Cunniff was clear about what the result showed.
“We didn't play at our best, and we still won. I think that's an amazing sign. It usually shows the signs of a team that's serious about winning the league,” he said.
Attention now turns to the Women’s FA Cup, with the league paused until Wanderers' next fixture on 11 October. Wanderers face FC United of Manchester again, this time in the Second Round Qualifying of the Women's FA Cup, having beaten them 10-1 in the league only two weeks ago.
Cunniff is expecting a different game entirely. “They'll be coming to prove a point and get a bit of revenge. We know it'll be a lot tougher than last time,” he said. “We want to go far in this competition, so it's not the time to be making changes for the sake of it. We've built momentum and we want to keep that winning mentality going.”
Get down and back the team as the cup run begins.
Wanderers face FC United of Manchester at The Ginge Power Stadium, Daisy Hill this Sunday, 2pm. Admission is pay on the gate: £6 adults, £3 under-16s, under-12s free with a full-paying adult.