Bolton Wanderers Women fell to defeat away at champions AFC Fylde in their final game of the season.
Coming into the fixture following a draw the previous weekend, Wanderers knew they faced a difficult test against a Fylde side already crowned league champions. Bolton, however, started well and matched the hosts during a competitive opening spell.
The fixtured marked several notable farewells for the club. It was the final game in a Wanderers shirt for Zara Plano, who now returns to her parent club Everton Football Club, while Flo Rigby also made her last appearance before heading back to the United States.
It was also the final outing for Millie Smith after five years with her childhood club, bringing the curtain down on a significant chapter of her Wanderers career as she heads to the United States.
For majority of the first half Wanderers held their own and looked organised defensively, limiting Fylde’s attacking threat and keeping them at bay. Annabelle White was called into action midway through the half and produced a strong save on 21 minutes to deny the hosts and keep the game level.
Fylde began to apply more pressure as the half progressed and eventually found the breakthrough on 34 minutes. A powerful strike from Moore rattled the crossbar before the rebound fell kindly to captain Kelsh-Ridge, who tapped the ball over the line to give the champions the lead.
Despite the setback, Wanderers continued to battle and went into the break still very much in the contest.
Fylde started the second half strongly and doubled their lead just two minutes after the restart. Moore picked up the ball from distance, spotted the goalkeeper off her line and fired a long-range strike into the net.
Annabelle White was soon called upon again and produced another important save on 57 minutes, rushing out to stop Moore from getting another goal for the hosts.
Bolton looked to respond and came close to reducing the deficit shortly after the hour mark when Molly Philpott’s effort flew narrowly over the crossbar.
However, Fylde continued to threaten and Annabelle White remained busy, racing off her line to block another opportunity before producing yet another impressive stop moments later to keep Wanderers in the game.
The hosts added a third on 76 minutes following a well-worked move into the box, with Hindley striking the ball cleanly to extend their advantage.
Abbie Brown had a chance for Wanderers with just under ten minutes remaining but saw her effort drift just wide of the target.
Fylde completed the scoring late on when Kelly capitalised on a through ball and managed to squeeze her effort beyond the goalkeeper despite being closed down.
White continued to impress in the closing stages, producing further saves including a strong stop in the 89th minute to deny the hosts again.
There was almost a late consolation for Wanderers in stoppage time when Zara Plano delivered a dangerous free-kick into the area, but the ball couldn’t quite be turned in.
While the result didn’t go their way, Bolton showed resilience throughout and can reflect on a season that concludes with valuable experience and strong team spirit heading into the future.
Finishing third in their first season in the division is a strong foundation to build on, and the squad will take plenty of confidence from the lessons learned across the year. Wanderers will be determined to return even stronger next season and firmly challenge for the league title.
Wanderers: White, Philpott, Smith, Walsh ©, Dale, Rigby, Plano, Thomas-Leek, Brown, Tweedle, Wallis
Subs: Tyers, Cambell, McDonald, Hardman, Woodward
AFC Fylde: Ashton, Borrowdale, Hickson, James, Tindall, O' Mahony, Payton, Flanagan, Kelsh-Ridge (C) , Corrigan, Moore
Subs: Hindley, Devereaux, Mason, Kelly, Heyworth
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks