Bolton Wanderers Women made it six straight victories to start the 2024/25 campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Preston North End Women.
Two goals from Milla Hodson and a Jess Lightfoot strike – coupled with a fantastic Annabelle White penalty save – ensured Wanderers’ headed back to Bolton with all three points.
Myles Smith made one change from the side that recorded victory over Haslingden last week, with Chloe Ardin coming into the starting side, replacing Lily Barnes.
The pouring rain that was present all afternoon played into the away side's hands, making the surface at Longridge Town slick and suiting Wanderers' possession-based style with both Ardin and Tyers on the ball early trying to carve out opportunities.
The first chance of the afternoon fell the way of Milla Hodson after a free-kick was only half cleared, and her drilled effort that bounced off the surface was only parried by Gibbins, but she claimed at the second attempt.
But despite their possessional dominance, the first real opportunity fell the way of the hosts as Scott found herself one-on-one with Annabelle White after a deflected pass played her through but her lofted effort cannoned off the crossbar before Wanderers scrambled back to clear.
Wanderers responded well to the let off and immediately went searching for the opening goal at the other end, with two big chances falling their way.
First, a through-ball was almost perfect for Hodson to latch onto but Gibbins made a vital intervention. On the rebound, Jess Lightfoot tried to find the bottom corner of the open goal with the ‘keeper off her line but pulled the effort wide.
A couple of minutes later and Eva Williams next tested Gibbins with a drilled effort from the right-hand side, but the Preston keeper was in top form early on and got a vital touch to the strike to push wide of the far post.
Eleanor Seals, who has started the season in outstanding form, had to be replaced with an injury and replaced by Emme Shone but that did not disrupt the flow of the away side’s dominance as they looked to force their way in front as the half wore on.
But PNE survived the early pressure and started to work themselves into the game, carving out a big chance of their own as nice football put Hadley through down the left, but her curling effort went wide.
As was the story in the side’s last outing against Haslingden, Wanderers were made to pay for their missed opportunities when Hadley turned home a corner at the far post just before the break.
It was a reminder to Wanderers to keep at their tempo, and the response was instant. Tyers’ driving ran beat three Preston defenders before her lay-off was perfect for Hodson to hit first time from 20 yards. This time, Gibbins had no chance as Milla’s strike found the top corner to ensure Smith’s side went into the break all square.
Moving into the second half, Wanderers continued to push for the lead but found stern opposition in the form of the hosts – who were resolute and determined in their approach.
Tyers’ corner from the right-hand side at the start of the half caused all sorts of problems inside the six-yard box – with Gibbins misjudging the flight of the ball and two Wanderers’ players looking for a tap-in - but it was scrambled clear.
Wanderers remained patient with the ball and got their reward just past the hour. A teasing Millie Smith cross from the right had too much pace on it for Gibbins, and Lightfoot reacted fantastically well to latch onto the loose ball and turn home to hand the away side the advantage.
The second goal meant that Wanderers could control and see out the remaining minutes of the second half and with 20 minutes to go, they asserted their dominance with a third goal.
Tyers played a wonderful through ball for Hodson to latch on to, and she picked her spot and finished confidently passed Gibbins to grab her second of the afternoon.
Preston tried to work themselves back into the game and throw themselves a lifeline as the game headed towards the final stages, with Topping - North End's central defender - testing White from all of 30 yards, but the Wanderers’ keeper tracked it all the way to make a solid save.
White once again was called into action when a penalty was awarded to the home side after a challenge inside the area. Hadley stepped up, but White produced an outstanding save down to her left to push the effort around the post.
The hosts continued to apply pressure inside the final few minutes, and had a dangerous free-kick which Woodhead let fly from 20 yards out, but it was over White’s crossbar and ensured Myles Smith’s side extended their winning start to six games.
BWFCW: White (GK), E.Williams (Bradshaw 45’, (Ball 85’)), L.Williams, Holt ©, Baldwin, Hodson (Clarke 74’), M.Smith, Seals (Shone 24’), Ardin, Tyers, Lightfoot (Hardman 80’).
Preston: Gibbins, Jones, Woodhead, Hindle, Topping, Walker, Woodhead, Scott, Dodsworth, Tunstall, Hadley.
Subs: Cookson, Stevens, Pike.