Following a week of change off-the-field, Bolton Wanderers Women responded with an assured 5-1 victory on the road at Rutherford Ladies to secure their place in the First Round Proper of the Adobe Women's FA Cup.
Debut goals from Poppy Wallis, Ella Tweedle and Emmanuella Cambell, along with notches from Charlotte Tyers and Milla Hodson, saw the Whites into the hat for the First Round Proper for the first time in the club’s history.
Despite going a goal behind inside the opening 15 minutes from a free kick, Wanderers reacted well and scored four quick-fire goals before half-time to take the game away from their opponents and into the second half with a strong lead to secure victory.
Rutherford had the best of chances straight from kick-off, with a chance on the 5th minute that was easily dealt with by Annabelle White.
Wanderers retaliated just moments later with a great run from Ella Tweedle, who looked for Madi Hardman in the box, but the Rutherford defence manged to block the pass and preventing the visitors from taking the lead.
Bolton continued to press and just a couple of minutes later, Poppy Wallis made a run on the right-hand side and sent the ball across to Ella Tweedle, but her shot was bouncing on its way through and into the keeper's hands.
Maintaining their pressure, Zara Plano played the ball through to Wallis, who made a run towards goal, but her shot was deflected by Brooks, who was able to prevent any real danger.
The deadlock was broken shortly after, with Rutherford converting a well‑worked free kick from Melissa Scott, with Annabelle White almost tipped over the bar, but much to the frustration of the Wanderers' keeper, she couldn’t deny the opener.
Bolton, unshaken, started to press the Rutherford defence just three minutes after going behind as Wallis had another chance to level the scoring - but was denied from a strong header from the Rutherford defence.
Moments later, Tweedle took on Brooks from just outside the box, but the attempt was with too much force and went sailing over the bar.
Just after the half hour mark, Milla Hodson went one-on-one with the keeper but Brooks easily dealt with the threat.
But the pressure told and in the 37th minute, Ella Tweedle produced a defence‑splitting pass to Poppy Wallis, who slotted home with composure to level the scoreline.
Wanderers kept their foot firmly on the gas and went in front in a quickfire double when following a scramble in the box, Rutherford fail to clear the ball, and Charlotte Tyers tucked home.
The third came shortly after as a Poppy Wallis cross found Ella Tweedle, who steered it home to give breathing space as the end of the first-time closed in.
The fourth goal came just before the half-time whistle as Milla Hodson weaved through the defence before applying a composed finish to give Bolton the lead.
The second half saw four changes for Wanderers across the half, seeing debuts for Emmanuella Cambell, Tegan Higgins and Eboni Wilkinson.
After being on the pitch for just two minutes, Cambell got her debut goal. From a Poppy Wallis through-ball found, Cambell was picked out in the box to make it five for Wanderers.
As the game edged towards the end, Rutherford thought they had pulled one back as a consolation, but were denied by the offside flag.
It was a statement performance from Bolton Wanderers Women, who showed grit, character and attacking quality to turn an early setback into a commanding victory.
The 5-1 win not only marked a historic milestone - reaching the First Round Proper of the Adobe Women's FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history - but also showcased the depth and potential in the squad following a number of exciting debuts.
With three debut goals and an impressive all-round team display, Wanderers will head into the next round full of belief and momentum.
Wanderers: White (GK), Clark, Smith, Tyers, Wallis, Tweedle, Hardman, Clarke, Walsh © Plano, Hodson. Subs: Wilkinson, Cambell, Higgins, Lester
Rutherford: Brooks (GK), Shovlin, Sharp, Gregory, Wright, Slater, Driver, Scott, Ellison, Hindson, Johnson. Subs: Armstrong, Rerrie, Bell, Williams, Bolam, Tait
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.