Women's Team

Women's Cup Final | Wanderers 5 Accrington Stanley 1

10th April 2025

It was an historic night for Bolton Wanderers Women as they secured their first trophy under club operations with a 5-1 victory over Accrington Stanley Women in the Challenge Cup Final.

A Faye Knox hat-trick as well as goals for Lily Barnes and Grace Grundy ensured Wanderers brought home silverware on Thursday evening at the County Ground - in front of over 1,000 spectators including Club Chairman Sharon Brittan and the Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton.

It was an occasion Wanderers took seriously, marking the Final with a shirt presentation event on Wednesday night - shared with family and loved ones - ahead of such a landmark evening at the home of the Lancashire FA.

This trophy success is the first significant step taken by Myles Smith's side in what could turn out to be a double-winning week, facing Stanley again on Sunday afternoon knowing victory secures the NWWRL Division One North league title.

The Whites made two changes to the side that convincingly beat Penrith just a few days ago. Lexi Williams and Emme Shone returned to the starting line-up, with Chloe Ardin also returning to the matchday squad in Leyland.

On the night, it was a game that Wanderers never looked in danger of losing as they flew out the blocks and created the first opportunity inside two minutes as a Charlotte Tyers through-ball was fumbled by Elliott in the Accrington goal but Neishai Gordon could only fire wide.

Knox tested her aim with a free-kick shortly after in anticipation of what was to come later, but Eboni Bradshaw came even closer when Madi Hardman's endeavour opened up the opportunity for Bradshaw inside the area but a huge save from Elliott denied her from close range.

But Accrington are fighting with Wanderers at the top of the Division One North for a reason, and went close as the space opened up for Grace Hindley to shoot with a low left-footed effort but could only drag her effort wide of Annabelle White's post.

A minute later, and Wanderers had their lead. An Eleanor Seals corner caused havoc for Elliott and Accrington, with Knox quickest to react to nudge the ball out her feet and stab an effort into the top corner magnificently.

It was a goal Wanderers deserved, but they had to remain alert at the other end. Ellie Rice lined up a free-kick from 25-yards that bounced and dipped in-front of White but she was safe behind the effort.

From that point, the Whites took complete control of the encounter with Knox adding her second of the night in stunning fashion. Dancing past the defender to cut inside and let fly from 20 yards, the wing-back found the top corner superbly to double the lead and ensure Wanderers' first-half display was reflected on the scoreboard.

An Adamson strike for Stanley blazed way over White's crossbar shortly after, before Hardman's typically all-action performance enabled her to intercept a pass in Accrington territory before looking to find the top corner but her effort was always rising - ensuring the score remained 2-0 heading into the break.

A half-time switch introduced Millie Smith into the action in place of Shone, and starting the second half in the same manner in which they finished the first, Wanderers went in search of more goals.

They came close inside the opening five minutes - with Knox at the heart of everything once more.

First, the Wales Youth international forced Elliott into a decent save from 25 yards before rattling the crossbar to deny her an outstanding third with a dipping effort from the best part of 30 yards, before Stanley scrambled to clear.

From the following corner, Caitlin Clarke - who was outstanding all night - came close to adding to the tally when shooting from close range but another decent save from Elliott denied her.

But Wanderers didn't have to wait much longer to stretch their lead as Knox claimed her hat-trick in superb style. Setting her range from distance once more after cutting in from the left, she found the top corner again to cap a superb individual display.

With the three-goal cushion, Wanderers were in full flow and went close again as Gordon broke through the Stanley defence to bear down on goal but another good save from Elliott pushed the effort behind her left-hand post.

Myles Smith's side freshened things up, with Chloe Ardin, Grundy and Barnes all introduced, with the latter involved within a minute to make it four.

Katie Holt, who was magnificent as captain for Wanderers on the night in leading the backline, was inches away from tucking home a corner that came back off the woodwork, before Barnes reacted quickest to nod home at the far post to huge celebrations both on and off-the-pitch.

But Stanley refused to throw in the towel, and reduced the deficit brilliantly with a Flossie Jones long-range effort leaving White no chance as it flew into the roof of the net.

White was forced into action again as a low Smith effort after good football looked to be finding the bottom corner, but the Wanderers' keeper was superb with her reactions to push it away from the on-rushing danger.

As the game ticked down, and Hannah Baldwin brought on to sure up the defence, the Whites still had time to add another with Grundy getting on the scoresheet.

A Holt pass split the lines to find Grace, who used her speed to control and burst away from the defender to go through one-v-one and she calmly applied the finish to make it five.

There was a chance to add a sixth as Gordon's tireless performance earned herself a penalty after being brought down inside the area. Picking herself up, Neishai stepped up but fired over the bar as the game finished to huge celebrations.

It was a night to remember for all connected with Bolton Wanderers Women, with full focus firmly turning to Sunday's game against Stanley as they look to make it an historic week.