Bolton Wanderers Women produced a commanding and clinical display away at Preston, running out 6-1 winners in emphatic fashion.
The Whites were ruthless from the first whistle, scoring five first-half goals in securing their place in the first-round proper of the Alliance Design & Print Cup, with Eleanor Seals, Evie Sadler (2), Faye Knox (2) and Imogen Longcake all on the mark to secure their passage.
Following last week's win at home to Chester in the Adobe Women's FA Cup, Myles Smith’s team were looking to continue their momentum into this weekend’s fixture, to take more positivity into next week’s FA Cup game.
It was the hosts who produced the first big moment, however, within four minutes as Preston struck the bar with a long-range effort and the rebound looked ominous, but Katie Holt was alert to make an excellent block against Preston’s Alicia Scott.
Preston had given Bolton a warning sign, but Wanderers remained unfazed as they now looked to press forward.
As the game settled, Bolton began to assert control. A half-clearance fell for Faye Knox, who tried her luck from distance, though her shot bounced into the path of the Preston goalkeeper. Shortly after, a corner routine for the hosts almost caused problems, but Annabelle White was alert to smother the danger.
The breakthrough arrived in the 12th minute. A Wanderers corner was recycled, ultimately laying it off to Eleanor Seals, who unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards out that flew into the bottom corner to put the visitors ahead.
It didn’t take long for Wanderers to double their lead and as a beautifully weighted pass from Faye Knox cut through the host's defence to find Evie Sadler, who took a composed touch before finishing clinically.
Bolton kept their foot firmly on the gas and on the 30th minute, they had a third.
Heidi Clark picked out Abbie Brown nicely, who in-turn beat her defender with a brilliant piece of skill before drilling across goal and putting it on a plate for Imogen Longcake to tap home.
Wanderers were in full flow, and in trademark Knox fashion, she got in on the act. Following a foul on the edge of the North End area, she stepped up to take a free-kick and curled it beautifully into the top corner to make it four.
The attacking waves from the away side didn’t cease. Evie Sadler drove forward and released Imogen Longcake whose cross found Abbie Brown, but the keeper made a smart stop. Then, Sadler skipped past two defenders and laid off to Charlotte Tyers, whose curling effort drifted agonisingly wide.
Just before half-time and Knox had her second. Heidi Clark again teased a clipped pass over the top that sent Faye Knox clear. She raced into the box and slotted low into the bottom corner to make it five just before half-time.
The second half opened with a defensive slip from Preston gifting Madi Hardman a chance, but the keeper parried her shot.
But five soon became six as Bolton pressing aggressively to won the ball high up. Madison Hardman - a half-time change for Tyers - unselfishly laid it off to Sadler, who rifled her shot into the roof of the net to extend their advantage.
Preston clawed one back soon after. A penalty was awarded for handball in the Whites' box and, Katie Woodhead stepped up to convert.
Still pushing, Bolton kept creating. Longcake’s cross was nodded down by Hardman for Natasha Dale to hit on the charge, but her effort was blocked on the way through to allow a sharp reaction from the Preston keeper to make a smart save.
Shortly after a triple change for Wanderers would see Katie Holt, Eleanor Seals, and Faye Knox make way for Lucy Walsh, Millie Smith, and Hannah Baldwin as they looked to spread the minutes around with the tie already sealed.
Late in the game, Imogen Longcake drove forward again, but her shot was straight at the goalkeeper as Bolton managed the closing stages with authority.
It proved to be a dominant display from Bolton as they now look ahead to a visit to Gateshead next weekend after being drawn away to Rutherford Ladies in the Third Qualifying Round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup - with a potential victory taking them into the First Round Proper.
Wanderers: White (GK), Clarke, Holt (C), Seals, Dale, Tyers, Knox, Sadler, Brown, Longcake
Subs: Baldwin, Smith, Walsh, Hardman, Fatuga-Dada
Preston: Turner (GK), Shirras, Mahon, C. Walker, Tunstall, L. Walker, Tennant, Woodhead, Flinn, Scott, Hadley
Subs: Jones, Stevens, Pike, Medley
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.