Bolton Wanderers Women recorded an outstanding 5-2 victory away at Accrington Stanley to end 2024 at the top of the Division One North table - whilst securing their 11th consecutive league win in the process.
The Whites' win ended Stanley's own perfect win record at the start of their campaign - and despite being pegged back to 1-1 midway through the second half - rallied superbly to score four more goals to ensure victory.
Myles Smith made two changes to the team victorious over Atherton LR last week, with captain Katie Holt returning to the side alongside Madison Hardman - who impressed leading the line against LR - replacing Erin Smith and Jess Lightfoot. Jess missing out on Sunday afternoon having been involved with Everton Women in the League Cup Merseyside Derby this week.
The match was a tight and tense affair early on, given what was at stake for both sides in this fixture.
In the second minute, Accrington’s Hindley was picked out with a cross from the far side but could only loop her shot over the bar.
The hosts continued to push and in the 5th minute, a well-worked move saw Accrington’s Corrigan looking poised to shoot, only for Annabelle White to come off her line outstandingly well and gather the ball with great awareness.
Accrington’s frustrations grew in the 11th minute when Hardman was fouled after getting past her defender. The foul resulted in a yellow card for the Accrington player - but from the subsequent free-kick - Caitlin Clarke couldn’t keep her header from Eleanor Seals' cross on target, sending it wide.
Chances were at a premium, and Wanderers had big appeals for a penalty when Eleanor Seals threaded a pass to Madi Hardman, who went down under a challenge from the goalkeeper. However, the referee waved away the penalty shouts.
Accrington had a few opportunities but were unable to fully test White in Wanderers' goal. First, a long-range shot from Rice went straight into the 'keeper's arms, before another attempt by Hindley on the 29th minute flew wide of the top-right corner.
As the game looked to be heading to the break level, Wanderers struck on the stroke of the half-time whistle.
Eboni Bradshaw delivered a cross that found its way through to the far post, where Faye Knox controlled the ball and fired it into the roof of the net, giving the Wanderers a huge advantage as they headed into the break with the lead.
The goal had buoyed Wanderers and they started the second half with high energy.
Bradshaw, who was magnificent all afternoon, won the ball high up the pitch and squared it into Hardman but was denied by the Accrington goalkeeper - who made a crucial save. Just a minute later, Faye Knox made a strong run down the right, but her cross just missed the target.
But Accrington carried threat in forward areas, and responded in the 60th minute when Flanagan took a free-kick that beat White from the edge of the area and into the roof of the net, levelling the scores.
However, as has been the case this season, Wanderers responded outstandingly well and quickly regained the lead.
Within two minutes, another Eleanor Seals free-kick caused all sorts of problems, with her bouncing set-piece being palmed away by the keeper, but Bradshaw reacted first to nod home to make it 2-1.
Wanderers continued to press, and in the 65th minute, Charlotte Tyers’ shot deflected into the path of Neishai Gordon, but she fired over the bar when a third goal seemed imminent.
But they did not have to wait long for their third as in the 69th minute, Caitlin Clarke's effort from distance looped over the keeper's head and into the back of the net with an outstanding finish - extending the lead to 3-1.
Myles Smith's side were in full flow now and continued to apply pressure and wanted to finish the game in style. On the 81st minute, a Charlotte Tyers’ corner caused chaos inside the Accrington box, allowing Katie Holt to come charging through bodies to head in and hand Wanderer a three-goal advantage.
Accrington pulled a goal back in the 83rd minute when they were awarded a penalty. Flanagan stepped up and converted, sending the ball past White to make it 4-2 to ensure a nervy finish.
Despite this, Wanderers held firm and saw out the match, sealing the win with the final goal of the afternoon via Neishai Gordon, with a great ball in from Chloe Ardin allowing Neishai to finish first time.
Wanderers now head into the Christmas break undefeated in the league, and sitting at the top of the table - with the motivation to attack 2025 in the same fashion to achieve the goals they set at the start of the campaign.
Wanderers: White (GK), L.Williams, Holt (C), Clarke, Knox, Seals, M.Smith, Bradshaw, Gordon, Tyers, Hardman.
Subs: E.Williams, E.Smith, Ardin, Mitchell, Rigby.
Report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures by Jake Horrocks.