Women's Preview | Penrith v Wanderers

women's preview

Bolton Wanderers Women face their final away league fixture of the season this weekend when facing Penrith AFC Ladies on Sunday afternoon, kick-off 2pm. 

With just three league games to go, Wanderers are aware that their fate lies firmly in their own hands - knowing that victory in their next two fixtures will seal promotion from the Division One North

It's set to be a crucial period for the Whites, with the upcoming Challenge Cup final and league fixture against title rivals Accrington Stanley to come in the next week, but Myles Smith's side know that focus has to remain on Sunday's trip to Cumbria. 

But the Whites head into this fixture in confident mood, having produced an assured performance at a sun-soaked Morecambe just a week ago. Neishai Gordon's hat-trick, Faye Knox's double and a powerful Caitlin Clarke header was enough to secure a 6-1 victory on the road. 

This weekend's fixture is the last in a run of four consecutive away trips for Wanderers - who have navigated the run of fxtures superbly, scoring 22 goals whilst picking up maximum points over Blackpool, Haslingden and the aforementioned Morecambe. 

There are no fresh concerns personnel wise for Wanderers either at this stage of the season, with 'keeper Annabelle White working her way back to a return to the team after missing last weekend's win at the Shrimps - with Tilda Lester making her Whites debut in her absence. 

Wanderers will be without Jess Lightfoot for the next three fixture, though, as she serves her suspension following her red card at the weekend.

But the Whites know the task in front of them on Sunday afternoon, with Penrith producing a resilient display at the Dreams2Reality Stadium back in March.

Wanderers' opponents this weekend are the only side to have taken points off them in the league this season, battling to a 1-1 draw at the Dreams2Reality Stadium just a few weeks ago. Jess Lightfoot's goal was cancelled out by Charlotte Smith's header late in the second half. 

But the hosts on Sunday are in slightly inconsistent form, with just one victory in their last six outings ahead of this weekend's game - with that win coming last time out over Radcliffe in a 5-1 win. 

Wanderers are under no illiusions of the challenge they face up in Cumbria, however, with Myles Smith hoping that the Whites can tweak a few things from their performance in the reverse fixture to claim the three points.

"We have our identity and we have our way of playing, but we adapt for each opposition that we face," the Whites' Women boss said. 

"There's a few things that we have seen from the last Penrith game that we think we can exploit, and some potential weaknesses that we hope we can hurt them with. 

"However, there are strengths in that side that we know that we need to be aware of at the same time. 

"It's another away game for us in a row, but it's one that we are looking forward to. The team are ready and also looking forward to the game and are happy we are at this stage of the season. 

"They know that if we win this game on Sunday, we move one step closer to doing what we want to achieve."

Match Information

Date: Sunday 6th April
Kick-Off: 2pm
Location: Penrith Stadium, CA11 8UU
Tickets: £1 entry on the gate
Refreshments: Available on the day with hot/cold drinks on offer
Match updates: Available across BWFC Women's Social Media Channels

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