Women's Report | Tranmere Rovers 3 Wanderers 1

tranmere rovers

Bolton Wanderers Women's Adobe FA Cup run came to an end at the Second Qualifying stage after losing a tough battle in a 3-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers Women. 

Wanderers made one change from the side victorious at Preston North End, with Eboni Bradshaw coming into the starting eleven, replacing Eva Williams. 

Myles Smith's side arrived the Wirral with a perfect record in the league, looking to test themselves against higher league opposition - and they made the perfect start.

An Eleanor Seals cross found its way to Milla Hodson at the far post, and she was waiting to turn home and hand Wanderers the advantage in the 18th minute. 

Just a few minutes later, however, and Tranmere’s Louisa Murphy made a run down their left channel and picked out a cross to the far post. The ball was played back to Anya McCready, who drilled it into bottom corner past Annabelle White to level the scoreline.

Wanderers looked to respond, with some great link-up play between Milla Hodson and Charlotte Tyers putting pressure firmly on the Tranmere keeper. Tyers got her effort away looking to test the 'keeper, but it went wide. 

With just five minutes to go before half time, Tranmere put themselves in front for the first time with Shaney Bond heading home an Amy Shannon corner from inside a crowded penalty area.

After the restart, Jess Lightfoot looked to respond instantly for Wanderers, and sent a shot towards goal, but went over the Tranmere bar.

Lightfoot continued to lead the attack for Bolton, and looked to find the far corner but Amelia Size sprung across to her left to keep it out.

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mille smith

Anya McCready continued to be a threat for the home side, but White responded quickly and was straight to it to keep Bolton in the game. 

Madison Hardman, fresh off the bench for Wanderers, managed to break through for the away side but was sadly denied her chance at goal as the offside flag raised quickly as she charged through on goal.

Despite Wanderers' best efforts, Rovers would seal their place in the next round when Lorna Stratton capitalised on a defensive error and finished inside the area to secure the win. 

Despite coming out as the stronger team in the second half, Wanderers could not find their goals from the final third of play to put them into the hat for the next round. 

With a break in the calendar, Wanderers will be able to regroup and return to their league campaign against Hindley Juniors Women on the 6th October at the Dreams2Reality stadium.

BWFCW: White (GK), Bradshaw, L.Williams (E.Smith ‘46), Holt ©, Baldwin, Hodson, M.Smith (Hardman 75’) , Seals, Ardin (Mitchell 63’), Tyers, Lightfoot

Tranmere: Size, Roberts, Robinson, Smith ©, Turkington, Jones, Murphy, Phillips, McCready, Shannon, Stratton

Subs: Bond, Howard, Williams, Aitken

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