Bolton Wanderers Women came from a goal behind to win 3-1 at Darwen on Sunday and Tom Cunniff's side are straight back out on Wednesday evening for their first home game of the season, against Bury at Daisy Hill.
Wanderers made the brighter start, but fell behind to a set piece inside the opening ten minutes, and it was a goal that irritated the manager more than anything else about the afternoon.
"We started really well, which is not something we managed in the last two pre-season games," Cunniff said. "Then we conceded from a set piece and it was a lack of concentration, not picking people up, not being brave enough. But we reacted well."
What followed was a scrap. Darwen went long at every opportunity, forced Wanderers to drop off, and turned the first half into a contest of second balls rather than football.
"It was a really scrappy game," Cunniff said. "When we say physical we say it a lot, but this was properly physical. They went long with everything, so you have to drop off and it becomes rough. We were still having chances, though."
The equaliser arrived from a set piece of Wanderers' own, the goalkeeper fumbling under pressure and Abbie Brown on hand to level it. At half time the message was continuity rather than change.
"We just said keep going, because we had been building momentum in that first half. Keep going, but move the ball better and don't get drawn into their game."
It took five minutes of the restart for that to take hold. Once it did, Wanderers took control of the middle of the pitch and did not give it back.
"After about five minutes we settled and the midfield were dominating," Cunniff said. "We couldn't quite score for a while, but we were creating chances and I was never worried."
Lauren Sharples made it 2-1 and the third, converted by Lily Weston, followed a cross that looped in at the back post, by which point the mood on the touchline had shifted entirely. Darwen finished the game with nine players on the pitch, and their manager was also dismissed late on.
"The girls were buzzing," Cunniff said. "It relaxed us and the atmosphere was unbelievable."
For the manager, the value of the afternoon sat in the recovery rather than the scoreline. Darwen finished three points behind Wanderers last season and are expected to be in the top four again this year.
"We hadn't been behind in a tight game all pre-season, even though we tried to arrange those tests," he said. "You've got to fight to get back in, and we did. I've brought a few mature players in and I get the right reactions at half time now. They add bits in themselves and the younger players look up to that. The dressing room is the best I've been in."
Bury at Daisy Hill on Wednesday
There is no easing in. Bury arrive on Wednesday evening off a heavy opening win of their own and Cunniff is in no doubt about the size of the task.
"We've got a really tough game on Wednesday, probably it will be one of the toughest of the season," he said. "Bury are a good team. We beat them away last season and they beat us at home. They won convincingly at the weekend, so they've clearly recruited well. They're more direct and they're strong from set pieces."
It is also a first at The Ginge Power Stadium at Daisy Hill, our new home for the season, and the players would love a crowd behind them for it. Wednesday evening football under the lights, a 7:30pm kick-off, a local derby, and a side that has just shown what it is made of away from home. If you have been meaning to watch this team, this is the night to start.
There is no need to book. It is pay on the day at the gate, at £6 for adults and £3 for under 16s, and under 12s go free when accompanied by a full paying adult.
If you haven't yet got a season ticket there is still time. Priced at only £50. Click here to buy yours today and support the girls.
Matchday information
Ground: The Ginge Power Stadium Address: New Sirs, St James Street, Westhoughton, Bolton, Lancashire, BL5 2EB
Admission, pay on the day at the gate: adults £6, under 16s £3, under 12s free with a full paying adult.
Arriving by car
There is no car parking available for spectators in the club car park. All available spaces have been allocated to players and officials of both clubs, and to guests.
We respectfully ask that you avoid parking anywhere on St James Street on the approach to the ground, as this can obstruct residents' driveways. There is no parking available anywhere past the club entrance on St James Street.
Street parking is available in the areas approaching the road entrances into Daisy Hill, and our recommendation is that anyone arriving by car parks on Lower Leigh Road (B5235).
Near the point where Lower Leigh Road becomes Schofield Lane, there is a public footpath next to the entrance to Casson Fold Children's Day Nursery. This provides a cut through on foot from Lower Leigh Road to St James Street, following a route between Daisy Hill Cricket Club and the football ground. The path is mostly lined by trees, and a short walk brings you out on St James Street. Turn left at the end of the path and the driveway leading up to the ground is a few yards away.
Arriving by train
Daisy Hill station is around a 15 minute walk from the ground, and is served by trains from Manchester Victoria and Wigan Wallgate.
Arriving by bus
Daisy Hill is served by two bus routes, the 516 (Horwich to Leigh) and the 607 (Bolton to Wigan). Bus stops are adjacent to and opposite St James's Church, Daisy Hill, a two minute walk from the ground.
Bolton Wanderers Women v Bury, The Ginge Power Stadium, Daisy Hill, Wednesday 19 August, kick-off 7:30pm.