Bolton Wanderers Women were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw away at FC United this afternoon, despite creating a number of promising opportunities and finishing the stronger of the two sides.
Wanderers went into the contest looking to build on their 6-2 home victory earlier last weekend, but despite their attempts, were frustrating forced to share the spoils.
Despite the heavy rain and wind in the first half, Wanderers dug deep from the whistle and started brightly and fashioned the first opening inside the opening minutes. Ella Tweedle played Poppy Wallis through on goal, but the FC United goalkeeper reacted quickly off her line to smother the effort and deny an early breakthrough.
The hosts responded moments later with a chance of their own, though Annabelle White was alert in the Wanderers goal to make a solid stop and keep the scores level.
FC United took the lead on 12 minutes through Rachel Lloyd found the net from a free-kick to give the home side the advantage.
Bolton continued to battle and looked to respond midway through the half, creating a shooting opportunity from around 20 yards out, but the effort failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
After being introduced just after the half-hour mark, Emmanuella Cambell made an immediate impact on the game. Bringing high energy to the attack and creating several chances and constantly testing the oppositions defence.
The second half saw Wanderers grow into the game and apply sustained pressure. Around the hour mark, Poppy Wallis came close to an equaliser, her effort appearing to be destined for the net before the FC United goalkeeper somehow managed to keep it out on or near the line.
Moments later the hosts were awarded a free kick just inside the area, but Rachel Lloyd's attempt went sailing over the crossbar to spare Wanderers.
Bolton continued to push and came close again in the 75th minute when Tweedle found space in the box. With both a defender and the goalkeeper closing her down, she was forced into a tight-angle effort that deflected out for a corner.
The pressure continued to mount for Wanderers two minutes later as they forced another opening during a strong spell in the final quarter of the match.
FC United threatened late on, but Annabelle White produced an excellent save in the 82nd minute to keep Bolton within touching distance.
The equaliser finally arrived in the 84th minute. Ellie Thomas-Leek picked the ball up just outside the box and unleashed a powerful strike that beat the goalkeeper, who could only stretch for the effort as it flew beyond her reach.
Wanderers pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but despite their strong team performance and several chances throughout the afternoon, the decisive moment proved just out of reach. Wanderers showed resilience to come from behind, and showed a positive team performance throughout.
Wanderers head into their final game next weekend away to League Champions, AFC Fylde.
Wanderers: White, Leigh, Walsh (C), Woodward, Smith, Rigby, Dale, Plano, Thomas-Leek, Wallis, Tweedle
Subs: Cambell, McDonald, Hardman, Hodson
FC United: Lyons-Walker, Lord, Bostock, Firth (C), Henderson, Booth, Dill, Lloyd, Turner, Morris, Williams
Subs: O' Neil, Edwards, Lester, Halliwell
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.