Bolton Wanderers Women bowed out of the Lancashire FA Women’s Senior Cup following a 5-0 defeat away to AFC Fylde Women.
Head coach Tom Cunniff named a new addition in his matchday squad, with Cerys Neil joining Wanderers from Wythenshawe earlier in the week. Neil was included in the starting line-up for the cup tie.
The Whites started the cup tie with purpose and were tested early, with goalkeeper Annabelle White calmly containing a seventh-minute effort from Ocean Flanagan as AFC Fylde looked to make a fast start.
Wanderers showed positive intent going forward and came close in the opening half when Poppy Wallis played a well-weighted through ball into Abbie Brown, who narrowly missed the target, sending it wide.
The hosts continued to apply pressure, forcing White into action again midway through the half, but the Wanderers shot stopper recovered well after a slip to gather the rebound.
The opening goal arrived for the hosts just 18 minutes from Lois Moore. An over-the-top ball from Nicola James to find the run of Moore. Taking on Annabelle White who came off her line, and Moore slots the ball home to put the hosts in the lead.
Less than 10 minutes later the hosts got their second. From a corner which is swung into the box. Imogen Borrowdale makes the jump and heads it home for Fylde, much to Wanderers frustration.
Bolton were still searching for a response as the interval approached and went close on 41 minutes, with Abbie Brown effort nearly crossing the line before the Fylde goalkeeper reacted quickly to smother the ball. Fylde threatened again moments later, with another shot just clearing the bar.
The break saw two changes for Wanderers, Flo Rigby replacing Poppy Wallis and making her Wanderers debut Cerys Neil replaced Natasha Dale.
Following the restart, Wanderers looked to regain momentum and began to dominate from the whistle. Wanderers won a free kick just outside the box after a foul on Flo Rigby, though the resulting effort was fired over. Fylde continued to create chances, but White remained composed, producing another important stop on 58 minutes, initially parrying before recovering to deny the follow-up.
Bolton continued to battle and carved out an opening on 68 minutes when Ella Tweedle found space, though the opportunity could not be converted.
On the 77th Imogen Borrowdale made it three for the hosts, and looking to have sealed the win for the hosts. Unfortunately, Annabelle White was unable to get a hand to the strike. Substitute Grace Hindley made it four for the hosts with just 6 minutes of play left, and the hosts continued to apply pressure until the final whistle.
Former Wanderers player Ocean Flanagan completed the scoring late on, sealing a 5–0 victory for Fylde and confirming their place in the semi-finals of the Lancashire FA Women’s Senior Cup.
Despite difficult weather conditions, Wanderers dug deep but were ultimately unable to prevent the hosts from progressing in the Lancashire FA Women’s Senior Cup.
Attention now turns back to league action as Wanderers head to Crewe Alexandria next weekend.
Wanderers: White, Clark, Walsh ©, McDonald, Dale, Smith, Plano, Wallis, Limbert, Tweedle, Brown
Subs: Rigby, Wilkinson, Tyers, Hardman, Neil
AFC Fylde: Ashton, Borrowdale, Corrigan, Flanagan, Hickson, James, Kelly, Mason, Moore, O'Mahony, Tindall
Subs: Adams, Devereaux, Dunion, Hindley, Kelsh, Leigh, Payton
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.