Sophie Coward and Ella Tweedle both struck hat-tricks as Bolton Wanderers Women continued their sensational start to the season with a resounding 9-0 victory over Penrith AFC in the League Cup.
Tom Cunniff’s side made it an incredible 14 successive victories in all competitions with another ruthless attacking display at the Eddie Davies Academy in Lostock, maintaining their perfect record and securing further progress in the competition.
Coward marked her first start for Wanderers in memorable fashion with a superb hat-trick, while Tweedle matched her team-mate’s achievement with a treble of her own.
Further goals from Katie Holt, Poppy Wallis and Abbie Brown completed another emphatic afternoon for the Whites, who continue to go from strength to strength.
And it took Wanderers just ten minutes to get themselves on the scoresheet.
Coward was the player to make the breakthrough, getting beyond the Penrith goalkeeper before finding the net to open her Wanderers account on her first start.
The early advantage was soon doubled following an excellent piece of attacking football involving Wallis and Maddie Leigh.
Wallis was instrumental in the build-up before Leigh delivered a cross into the penalty area, where Tweedle was waiting to apply the finishing touch and make it 2-0.
There was no let-up from the Whites and just three minutes later Coward was on target again.
Lauren Sharples was the provider this time as Coward grabbed her second of the afternoon in the 17th minute, putting Wanderers firmly in control with barely a fifth of the contest played.
The fourth arrived in the 34th minute, with defender Holt getting in on the act.
Grace Vella delivered a corner into the Penrith penalty area and Holt rose to meet it, powering a header home to give Wanderers a commanding 4-0 advantage heading towards the interval.
It was a first half that demonstrated both the attacking quality and clinical finishing that have characterised the Whites’ astonishing opening to the campaign.
And with a four-goal cushion at the break, Cunniff’s side showed little appetite for easing off when play resumed.
The fifth arrived on the hour mark, with Wallis reacting to a save from the Penrith goalkeeper to force the ball home and extend the advantage.
Just two minutes later, Tweedle added her second of the contest to make it six, before completing her hat-trick shortly afterwards.
Wallis turned provider for Wanderers’ seventh, setting up Tweedle to complete her treble and secure another memorable personal milestone in a season already packed with outstanding individual and collective performances.
Not to be outdone, Coward then completed her own hat-trick, adding an eighth for the Whites and putting the seal on a dream first start.
There was still time for one more goal, with Brown getting her name on the scoresheet in the closing stages to round off a comprehensive 9-0 victory.
It was another sensational afternoon for Wanderers, with two players taking home match balls, nine goals scored and another clean sheet secured.
Goalscorers: Sophie Coward (3), Ella Tweedle (3), Katie Holt, Poppy Wallis, Abbie Brown.
Photography: Keira Peacock