1 week Ago
Wanderers Women had to settle for a point against Accrington Stanley – and can now secure the league title with victory against Preston North End at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Madison Hardman gave the Whites an early lead with a clinical first-time finish after some good work by Eboni Bradshaw down the right wing. But Stanley equalised moments later when Freya Smith’s effort went through a sea of bodies and nestled in the top corner.
Neishai Gordon, Faye Knox, Eleanor Seals, Bradshaw and Charlotte Tyers went close but Bolton couldn’t quite find a winner after an impressive display by Justine Elliott between the sticks. It is only the second league game this season where Wanderers have dropped points and their unbeaten record remains intact with one more to go. Three points against PNE on Sunday afternoon (2pm) would clinch top spot.
Otherwise, Wanderers will be waiting to see the outcome of Stanley’s games in hand. “It was a tense game, for sure,” Myles Smith told the club channels . “Both teams gave everything they could on that pitch today.
“It was a cagey affair and when there is that much pressure, that much riding on the game, it takes a big character to step up. “We did well for most parts and all we can ask of the team is that they give everything they possible can, and we did that. “(The equaliser) is decision making at the back.
We gave the ball away cheaply, we tried to clip a ball into midfield when we don’t need to do it. “They transition and then they are on the edge of the box. We need to step out but we don’t, we let them have a free shot and the ball is in the back of the net.
“It is just tidying up on that decision making process, but mistakes happen from players and it is part and parcel of the game. Sometimes you get punished by them like we did today. We have got a big week away now to try to get the three points and secure the title in our home stadium.
” The sides met for the second time in a matter of days after Bolton had won the Challenge Cup final in Leyland on Thursday night following an emphatic 5-1 victory. Smith made one change from the final, with Millie Smith replacing the injured Emme Shone while Ocean Flanagan – who was cup tied for the final – and Flo Rigby both returned to the bench. “We were exhausted out there and that is fair enough.
We have just played a cup final and given everything we can. “We had a tough game against Penrith a week before and the team gave everything there. We have done as much as we can to recover and rest.
“We have rotated a few players in and out, but there were tired legs and minds. When you are under that much fatigue, that decision making does go down a little bit so it is completely understandable. “We have to move forwards, not back.
We will watch this game and look at how we can make it better for next week. “We have a game against Preston in front of our fans and we need as many there to support us and get us over the line.”.
