Fresh off a commanding 14–0 win against Curzon Ashton at Lostock las weekend, Tom Cunniff’s team aimed to build on their impressive form as they headed to Cheshire today.
Wanderers showed outstanding character and resilience, battling back three times to take a hard-earned point against a strong Tranmere side.
It was a physical, hard-fought contest from start to finish, with Wanderers having to dig deep and match Tranmere’s physicality. Bolton showed outstanding resilience, earning them a fully deserved point on the road.
Tranmere began strongly and applied early pressure, forcing Wanderers to stand firm during the opening exchanges. On 7 minutes, the hosts broke through down the right, but Annabelle White reacted superbly, racing off her line to smother the chance.
Just a couple of minutes later, a crowded penalty area demanded more sharp goalkeeping, with White once again getting strong hands to the ball amid bodies flying in from all angles. A further scramble moments later saw her bravely gather under pressure to keep the scores level.
Tranmere briefly thought they had taken the lead on 13 minutes, only for the flag to deny them, the offside call giving Wanderers a timely reprieve. But a minute later the opener arrived for the hosts, a low finish from Lorna Stratton into the corner putting Tranmere ahead.
Wanderers responded positively, and Sienna Limbert came inches away from levelling shortly after. Cutting in from the edge of the box, her curling effort drifted narrowly wide of the far post on 17 minutes.
Annabelle White continued to be central to Bolton’s resistance, pulling off another excellent save on 33 minutes to deny a powerful strike from Tranmere’s Amy Shannon. Despite her heroics, the hosts doubled their advantage just two minutes later on the 35rd minute, from a break down the right by Lorna Stratton ending in a close-range finish from Shannon.
Bolton finished the half strongly. Natasha Dale almost capitalised on a spilled effort inside the box, only for the ball to be hacked clear before Wanderers could bundle it home. Ella Tweddle, put Wanderers back into the game in injury time. The goal gave Wanderers a deserved lift heading into the break.
Half-time brought two changes for Bolton, with Millie Smith replacing Charlotte Tyers and Emmanuella Cambell coming on for Madi Hardman as Wanderers looked to shift momentum.
Bolton came out with renewed belief – and within minutes were back level. In the 51st minute, Cambell produced a moment of magic, as she closed down the keeper, and despite Marshall’s attempt at a clearance it ricocheted off her and over her head and into the net.
From there, the game opened up. Limbert forced another save from Marshall before Millie Smith tested the keeper with a chipped effort that was pushed behind for a corner on 58 minutes.
Wanderers maintained their attacking threat, linking up brilliantly on 69 minutes through Jess Nwachukwu and Cambell as Wanderers pushed for a third.
Ella Tweedle had the ball in the net again on 79 minutes after being played through by Cambell, but the flag cut short the celebrations.
Despite Wanderers’ strong spell, Tranmere struck a third on 84 minutes when Shannon curled a strike from distance into the top corner to restore the hosts’ lead.
Determined not to leave with nothing, Wanderers continued to push, with a couple of late chances to but the sides level.
Deep into stoppage time, pressure finally paid off for Wanderers as they forced their way forward and Sienna Limbert found the equaliser at the death to make it 3–3 and earn a thoroughly deserved point on the road.
Tom Cunniffs side return to Victory Park next weekend as they host Poulton Vics.
Wanderers: White (GK), Clark, Walsh ©, Wilkinson, Tyers, Wallis, Tweedle, Hardman, Walsh, Plano, Dale, Limbert
Subs: Smith, Cambell, Nwachukwu, Hodson, Dearden
Tranmere: Marshall (GK), Sands, Pritchard, Smith, Lawson, Dowell, Doyle, Bullock, Bowers Fouan, Stratton, Shannon
Subs: Mawston, Clarke, McRoberts, Aitken, Phillips
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.