Bolton Wanderers Women secured their ninth consecutive league win with a convincing 6-1 victory over Radcliffe in an encounter that showcased a blend of clinical finishing and creative attacking play.
Wanderers headed into this game in confident mood following the victory over Tranmere Rovers Women last time out - a team of higher league opposition - in the Alliance Design and Print Cup, and scored six goals at the Dreams2Reality Stadium to secure another impressive victory.
Myles Smith made three changes to the side that started against Tranmere, with Emme Shone, Caitlin Clarke and Erin Smith coming into the team - the latter with a welcome return to first team action as part of Wanderers' back three in a superb individual display.
The Whites' gaffer warned against complacency and starting from the first kick in his pre-match preview, and his words rung true as Wanderers came flying out the blocks and asserted their dominance in the opening minutes - being awarded a penalty in the 5th minute after Jess Lightfoot was fouled inside the box.
Wanderers' top scorer picked herself up and coolly slotted the penalty away to give the hosts an early lead, and a platform to build from.
It turned to be a quickfire double as less than 60 seconds later, Eleanor Seals doubled Wanderers' advantage. The midfielder let fly with an outstanding, drilled effort from outside the area that found the bottom corner perfectly - handing the Whites a two-goal advantage and leaving Isobel Prince - the Radcliffe 'keeper - with little chance in goal.
The early dominance continued as Lightfoot and Faye Knox - who was a constant threat all afternoon down Wanderers' right - linked up well, but a teasing cross from Knox just evaded the runners of Neishai Gordon and Lightfoot inside the box.
Lightfoot was involved again in the 13th minute, playing a neat one-two with Eboni Bradshaw, allowing Eboni to break free down the left, before unleashing a shot that was well saved by the Radcliffe keeper.
Moments later, Lightfoot went in search of more goals and tested the goalkeeper once again with a low effort from the edge of the area, but the keeper did well to push it around the post.
At the other end, Radcliffe struggled to make an impact, and despite a couple of promising moments, their efforts lacked a cutting edge needed to threaten Annabelle White in goal.
The home side nearly made it 3-0 inside 20 minutes, when Lightfoot's determined run beat a Radcliffe defender before shooting from a tight angle, but her effort came off the post and away.
But Wanderers continued with their early dominance and Knox was causing havoc down the right-hand side as her pull-back in the 21st minute found Gordon inside the area - however her first-time shot was off target, hitting the side netting.
Wanderers continued to pile on the pressure and eventually got their rewards with a third goal in the 25th minute with an outstanding team goal.
A move that started with Annabelle White in goal and involved all members of the back three in Caitlin Clarke, Katie Holt and Erin Smith, the ball found its way to Knox in space down the right hand-side. The Welsh youth international's quality was on-point, as her excellent threaded pass set Lightfoot away for a one-on-one, and she finished with immense composure to make it 3-0.
As the half wore on, Radcliffe started to work themselves into the game and forced Wanderers into a few nervy moments, including a loose back-pass that was nearly charged down by their forward. However White was alert enough in goal to do enough, before making a solid save from a Radcliffe free-kick that skipped across the wet surface and through bodies inside the area to push away from danger.
The away side did get their goal that their period of pressure deserved, however, just before the break. After winning the ball high up the pitch, a well-placed shot from forward Molly Kay found the top corner - giving White no chance - to make it 3-1 at the half-time break.
Wanderers came out for the second half with renewed intensity, coupled with a half-change change in Millie Smith's introduction for Shone - and within two minutes of the restart they added a fourth.
A defence splitting pass from Eleanor Seals opened up the Radcliffe defence to release Knox - whose first time cross allowed Bradshaw to finish with ease and extend their lead.
Gordon then went close for Wanderers when receiving a lovely reverse pass from Lightfoot that set her free and charging into the Radcliffe area, but her shot was denied by a fantastic save from Prince.
But Wanderers didn't have to wait long to add to their tally as in the 51st minute, a sliced clearance from a Radcliffe defender ended in the back of their own net following a dangerous delivery into the area from the left-hand side.
As the game approached the final quarter, Wanderers freshened themselves up on-the-field with the introductions of Eva Williams, Nia Wharton, Chloe Ardin and Lily Barnes, with all brought into the action to continue the home side's intensity as the game wore on.
Knox was determined in adding herself to the scoresheet and in the 73rd minute, she capped off her brilliant performance with a typically brilliant finish. After skipping past her defender down the right-hand side, she unleashed an effort that clipped the far post and in that left the 'keeper with no chance.
Myles Smith's side saw out the rest of the remaining minutes to earn another superb three points, with victory ensuring Wanderers remain top of the league with nine consecutive league wins.
Wanderers: White (GK), E.Smith, Holt (C), Clarke, Knox, Shone, Seals, Bradshaw, Gordon, Tyers, Lightfoot.
Subs: E.Williams, M.Smith, Ardin, Wharton, Barnes.
Radcliffe: Prince (GK), Quirke, Warburton, Southworth, Malpuss, Whyte, Coates, Golding, Mabanza, Weaver, Kay
Subs: Dearden-Lilly, Jones, King, Mundell, West.
Match report by Katherine Byrne. Pictures from Jake Horrocks.