Wanderers Women were made to settle for a point at home despite a dominant performance, as they drew 1-1 with Crewe Alexandra in a game where chances were plentiful, but a winner proved elusive.
Faye Knox’s well-taken equaliser just before the break cancelled out Crewe’s opener, and despite piling on the pressure throughout the second half, Wanderers couldn’t find the decisive breakthrough.
Myles Smith made two changes to the side that beat Mancunian Unity last week, with Eleanor Seals and Madison Hardman coming in to replace Charlotte Tyers and Evie Sadler.
The hosts looked sharp from the first whistle, with Ocean Flanagan reacting quickest to a loose ball to send Imogen Longcake away down the right. Her cross found Madi Hardman in the box, but the forward's header rose just over the bar.
Wanderers carved out another opening shortly after, as Millie Smith split the Crewe defence with a pinpoint through ball for Longcake to chase. She looked to pick out Hardman at the near post once again, but Crewe scrambled clear under pressure.
Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead on 16 minutes. A free-kick was only partially cleared, and Sophie Maxwell pounced on the loose ball to volley home from the edge of the box.
The goal didn’t phase Wanderers, who responded well and came close to levelling when a Faye Knox corner was spilled by the goalkeeper but evaded everyone in white.
Longcake continued to threaten down the right, seeing a shot deflected into Knox’s path, but the midfielder’s curling effort flew just over. Moments later, Knox met another Longcake delivery again at the far post but dragged her effort wide.
The home side’s pressure persisted, with Hardman switching play beautifully to pick out Eleanor Seals, whose low drive was comfortably gathered by Hannah Holloway.
At the other end, Crewe had a rare opening of their own when a lofted ball got Lacey Martin in behind, but Annabelle White stood tall and dealt with the effort well.
Wanderers finally got the goal their play deserved on 40 minutes. After good work from Millie Smith to play the ball into her, Knox beat her marker brilliantly and drove into the penalty area before firing low into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
The hosts nearly completed the turnaround before the break as Knox turned provider, squaring for Hardman who expertly rolled her defender, but the keeper pulled off a big save.
Knox then came even closer to giving Wanderers the lead with a stunning 25-yard strike that looked destined for the top corner, but it crashed off the post and away from danger.
Wanderers remained in control after the restart. Flanagan drove forward into space but fired straight at the keeper, before Smith sliced an effort wide after Walsh met a corner with a powerful header.
Changes followed with Abbie Brown, Charlotte Tyers, and Heidi Clark entering the action to keep the tempo high. Knox continued to create openings, pulling it back for Brown who just couldn’t get the decisive touch to divert home before Crewe cleared.
Late on, the ever-influential Longcake was again denied by a smart save after combining well with Brown. Knox’s curling cross-come-shot was also tipped over as Wanderers piled forward in search of a winner.
In stoppage time, Wanderers thought they had found it when Brown lobbed the keeper nicely following a knockdown from Lucy Walsh – but the flag was raised for offside.
Despite the frustration of not taking all three points, it was a strong performance from Wanderers, who created the better chances and showed great attacking intent throughout.
Myles Smith’s team will take on Chester FC next weekend in FA Cup action, at Victory Park.
Wanderers: White (GK), Holt (C), Walsh, Clarke, Longcake, Flanagan, Smith, Knox, Dale, Seals, Hardman
Subs: Clark, Plano, Tyers, Mehdi, Brown
Crewe: Holloway (GK), Porter, Weston, Campbell, Beech, Hernen, Taylor, Maxwell, Martin, Edwards, Lancaster
Subs: Stafford, Heath, Hanks, McHale, Nield
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Callum Pilkington.