Bolton Wanderers Women return to league action on Sunday afternoon when facing Morecambe Women FC at the Dreams2Reality Stadium - the home of Atherton Collieries.
Myles Smith's side will be looking to continue their impressive league record when facing the visitors this weekend - a team looking to continue their winning streak after beating local rivals Fleetwood Town Wrens Reserves last weekend 5-0.
Back in front of their home fans after a number of weeks away, Smith and his team are looking forward to being back in front of a home crowd.
"They’re desperate to play in front of the fans. The fans all season have really took this women's team into this club with open arms and they've been incredible and the support from the five hundred plus that we get at every home game, the support of those that those can't always make it. It's been incredible. So, we're really grateful for that and you always want to play in front of your home fans, so we're looking forward to getting back in front of them on Sunday” he said.
This will be the first time this season Smith’s team have faced Morecambe, who are a team who have a lot of recent changes to their own management and structure.
“I always prefer playing teams that we've played because you have a bit more insight, but with these, obviously, we've not played them and you know, we have them at home first, which obviously a massive advantage for us.
“Morecambe have made a few changes recently. I think they've had a change in management this season already, so you know, we have to be aware of all those things, but like always, we prepared this week and preparations are going well, the team are focused on the game, focused on getting the right thing done."
Following on from a very physical game last weekend against Wigan, and an almost regular side of sixteen recently, Smith mentioned how they will be coping with that this weekend, and the injuries or challenges that follow on from that.
“It's hard to change a team that's winning. It's hard to change a team that's scoring lots of goals, goals coming right throughout the team, that are not conceding many goals.
"We said it in the dressing room before the Wigan game you know, it's been a fairly consistent 16 now for the past four or five games.
“We're not a full strength by any means; we have a few people that will be out for the game. We've got a few players that are getting close to return that have been out long term, but not quite ready just yet. And there'll be a few players that need 90 minutes and therefore will go and get 90 minutes in the reserve game that that's playing on Sunday as well”.
“Football's a funny game. injuries happen, players move on, you know players are moving on from us at the moment and it's an opportunity for players that haven't had as many minutes to step up, and we've got a good group. There's competition for every place, and if somebody's not quite on it in training or for a match day, then somebody's ready to take that place and that's how it should be.
“It's an opportunity for players to step up the may have not got as many minutes as they want this season to go out there and show us and cement their place in the team."
As always with Wanderers Women's home game, admission is FREE at Atherton Collieries, so we invite supporters to come down and show their support once again this weekend.
Click here to watch Myles Smith's pre-match preview in full.
Match Information
Date: Sunday 26th January
Kick-Off: 2pm
Location: Dreams2Reality Stadium - Atherton Colleries
Tickets: Free
Match updates: Available across BWFC Women's Social Media Channels