Wanderers delivered an impressive performance on the road to claim a convincing 4–0 victory over Poulton Vics, with Ella Tweedle netting a superb hat-trick alongside an early strike from Abbie Brown.
Wanderers went into the game with high spirits following their emphatic 9–1 victory over Fleetwood two weekends earlier. Tom Cunniff’s side were keen to carry that form into their trip today at Poulton Vics.
The result sees Cunniff’s side remain third in the North West Women’s Regional League Premier Division as they continue to build momentum heading into the closing stages of the season.
The Whites started brightly and made their early pressure count in just the third minute. A perfectly weighted through ball found Abbie Brown calmly finished to give Wanderers the lead.
With spirits high from the early breakthrough, Wanderers looked to double their advantage soon after. On eight minutes another dangerous attack developed, but with only a few bodies arriving in the box the hosts managed to clear the danger before a shot could be taken.
Just two minutes later the visitors did find their second. Ella Tweedle finished confidently to extend Wanderers’ lead and cap off a strong opening spell.
Poulton Vics looked to respond and created their first and only real opportunity of the half on 16 minutes, but White’s goalkeeper Annabelle White dealt with the effort comfortably to keep the hosts at bay.
Wanderers continued to control proceedings and were rewarded again on the half-hour mark when Tweedle struck for the second time in the match. The forward fired her effort straight past the keeper.
Ella Tweedle completed her hat-trick in the 37th minute to cap off an outstanding first-half display. The forward put the Whites firmly in command heading into the break.
The second half began with another big chance for Tweedle, who found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper shortly after the restart. However, the keeper reacted quickly and came off her line to deny the forward.
Wanderers remained dangerous throughout the half. On 72 minutes Brown chased another opportunity, but the goalkeeper again rushed out to clear the danger before she could pull the trigger.
The match became increasingly physical as it entered the final stages, but Wanderers continued to create the better opportunities. A free kick in the 81st minute forced the Poulton Vics keeper into a superb save.
Moments later, Milla Hodson came agonisingly close to adding a fifth when her effort crashed against the crossbar. The forward had another opportunity soon after, breaking through one-on-one, but the goalkeeper once again came out well to stop the chance.
Hodson was heavily involved late on and in the 85th minute produced a strong run before sending a dangerous cross into the area. Madi Hardman and Tweedle both arrived looking to apply the finishing touch, but the ball travelled just too quickly across the face of goal.
It was a dominant performance from Wanderers, who showed their quality in front of goal to secure an emphatic 4–0 victory. Attention now quickly turns to next weekend, when the two sides will meet again, with Wanderers aiming to carry their strong form into the reverse fixture.
Wanderers: White, Leigh, Walsh (C), Smith, Philpott, Rigby, Dale, Brown, Limbert, Wallis, Tweedle
Subs: Tyers, Hardman, Hodson
Poulton Vics: Brooks, Coward, France, Holder, Jones, Locke, O'Looney, Palin, Prescott, Wood, Wright
Subs: Beattie, Evans, Fairfield, Burke, Wycherley
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.