Bolton Wanderers Women’s unbeaten league run since September came to an end this afternoon, with a 3–1 defeat against Darwen Ladies.
The Whites found themselves 2–1 down by the break, and although Poppy Wallis gave Wanderers an early twelfth-minute lead, Darwen responded and went on to claim all three points.
It was a physical, hard-fought contest from start to finish, with Wanderers having to dig deep, but much to their frustration were unable to take a share of the points.
The sides met on the opening day, when Darwen claimed all three points. Wanderers were hoping to return the favour today, but despite their best efforts, they were unable to come away with anything.
On the last fixture before the Festive break, Tom Cunniff made four changes from the last time out, Tilda Lester, Millie Smith and Abbie Brown coming into the starting XI and Kayleigh McDonald named amongst the substitutes for the Whites.
The visitors started out of the gates, and just six minutes in tried their chance at goal, from a free kick awarded to which just brushed wide off Georgia Parkinson’s header and continued to keep the pressure on for the first 10 minutes of the half.
Wanderers broke the deadlock in the 12th minute through Poppy Wallis, whose forceful delivery from outside the area caught everyone out. Appearing at first to be a cross, the ball carried too much power and sailed into the net to give the home side the lead.
Bolton continued to push forward and came close to doubling their advantage in the 16th minute. Wallis slipped a well-weighted pass through to Zara Plano, whose effort from just outside the box was tipped over the bar by the Darwen goalkeeper.
Darwen drew level in the 22nd minute through Anais Pattison, who produced a fine strike to beat Tilda Lester and restore parity. The visitors then took the lead in the 34th minute in unfortunate circumstances for Wanderers.
A long-range effort from Grace Radcliffe struck the crossbar, and although Lester appeared to get a touch to push it away, Pattison reacted quickest to the rebound and headed home to make it 2–1 to Darwen.
After the break, Darwen threatened again in the 47th minute, with Lester once more equal to the task, tipping an effort over the bar. Bolton worked hard to find a way back into the game, but chances were limited as Darwen remained dangerous on the counter.
Just before the hour mark Darwen sealed what would be their victory when a through ball by Radcliffe to Kyra Lindsay took the shot and extended the visitors lead.
The visitors came close to further extending their lead late on, firing narrowly wide of the post in the 80th minute, as Bolton continued to battle until the final whistle.
Despite a promising start and a well-taken opener from Wallis, Wanderers were unable to overturn Darwen’s advantage and were left frustrated after a competitive encounter.
Wanderers will next host West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC Women on the 4th January.
Wanderers: Lester, Clark, Smith, Wilkinson, Tyers, Wallis, Tweedle, Brown, Walsh © , Plano, Limbert
Subs: Cambell, McDonald, Hardman, Dale, Hodson
Darwen: Hunter, Wong, Parkinson, Smith, Metcalf, Duffell, Ratcliffe, Yeomen, Newton, Lindsay, Pattison
Subs: Greenall, Dawkes, Flynn, May
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.