Bolton Wanderers Women continued their winning run with a hard-earned 2–0 triumph away at Bury.
Despite testing weather conditions, Wanderers dug deep, and Poppy Wallis and Zara Plano were able to find the net to seal another valuable three points on the road on derby day.
Wanderers started brightly at Gigg Lane, creating a number of early opportunities. Just two minutes in, Ella Tweedle went close after being played through by Zara Plano, firing narrowly wide of the post as Bolton looked to make an immediate impact.
Moments later, Poppy Wallis almost found the breakthrough. A clever run into the box from Madi Hardman drew Bury’s Danni Bradley out of position, allowing Wallis to pick up the loose ball, but her effort rolled inches wide of the far post.
The hosts responded midway through the half, Georgia Payton switched play across to Ava Hanson, who teed up Jade Parker on the edge of the area. Her strike had Annabelle White at full stretch, but it drifted wide and out for a corner.
Wanderers regrouped and soon regained control. On 27 minutes, Madi Hardman made a strong run into the box after being played in by Tash Dale, but under pressure from Bury’s defence, she took her shot from a tight angle, leaving her effort going wide of the goal.
Just moments later, Georgia Payton made a run for goal for the hosts. She took a long shot but was denied by Annabelle White.
Just after the half-hour mark, Poppy Wallis opened the scoring for Wanderers. Finding space just outside the box and unleashing a precise strike beyond Faye Moseley to give Wanderers a deserved lead.
Bury looked to respond quickly and forced Annabelle White into an excellent save shortly after, tipping a dangerous effort away to preserve Bolton’s advantage. The hosts continued to apply pressure through Georgia Payton, whose dangerous cross was palmed clear by the Wanderers keeper before she gathered a follow-up attempt that drifted off target.
Bolton remained organised and composed, dealing well with a series of Bury corners around the 35-minute mark. The defence held strong, with the keeper confidently claiming under pressure.
As the half drew to a close, Georgia Payton combined with Flo Tribe, whose driven effort flashed wide of the post, ensuring Bolton went into the break with their one-goal advantage intact.
Both sides returned from the break looking to seize control, with Wanderers determined to build on their first-half advantage.
The second half saw a couple of changes for Wanderers. Abbie Brown and Tegan Higgins came into the fold for Madi Hardman and Charlotte Tyers at half-time, shortly followed by Ebony Wilkinson replacing Natasha Dale.
The early stages of the half saw the hosts push forward with renewed energy. Wanderers were forced to defend resolutely, with Annabelle White again called into action to claim several dangerous deliveries into the box.
Just after the hour mark, play was halted following a heavy collision involving Sinead Nugent, who required treatment before eventually being helped from the field. Moments later, Flo Tribe tried her luck for the hosts from distance, but her effort sailed wide of the target before she too was forced off after picking up a knock.
Despite Bury’s efforts, Wanderers stayed compact and continued to threaten on the counter. Around the 70-minute mark, the hosts enjoyed their best spell of possession, with Ava Hanson going close after striking just wide from range.
Wanderers retaliated, and minutes later, Ella Tweedle linked up with Poppy Wallis, whose shot was well held by the Bury goalkeeper.
A congested spell in the penalty area on 77 minutes saw Wanderers press hard for a second goal, but Poppy Wallis' attempt was prevented by Faye Moseley, who got two gloves to the ball.
Wanderers’ discipline and patience were finally rewarded two minutes from time.
In the 88th minute, Zara Plano produced a stunning strike from 30 yards, sending the ball soaring over the keeper and into the net to double Bolton’s advantage in emphatic fashion, and sealed the three points for Wanderers.
There was still time for a late booking, Zara Plano deep into stoppage time, but it did little to take the shine off the win for Wanderers, after battling through challenging conditions, securing all three points.
Wanderers host Ponteland United Women in the First Round Proper of the Adobe Women's FA Cup next weekend at Victory Park.
Wanderers: White (GK), Clark, Dale, Tyers, Wallis, Tweedle, Hardman, Clarke, Walsh © Plano, Hodson.
Subs: Lester, Wilkinson, Cambell, Higgins, Brown
Bury: Mosley (GK), Bailey, Nugent, Speight, Blythe, Lynchey, Payton, Parker, Neasham, Tribe, Hanson
Subs: Bolton, Philbin, Alread, Ball, Onyejiaka
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.