Bolton faced Fylde 2s away from home on Saturday in what was expected to be their toughest test of the season so far. After a rallying team talk Bolton started the game on the front foot, creating some threatening chances down both wings and utilising small backwards passing to the defence in order to retain possession. However, Bolton were unable to carve out any clear goal scoring opportunities. At the 15 minute mark a turnover in possession gave Fylde the opportunity to attack down the right wing. They played a square ball to the top of the circle where a Fylde attacker was waiting to slam the ball home into the side netting and Bolton found themselves 1-0 down, arguably against the run of play.

Emboldened by their goal, Fylde continued to grow into the game and enjoyed more possession in Bolton’s half. They were well organised and deliberate in their attacks and went on to score a second goal through a ball drilled into the near post where a player was waiting for a neat deflection. Despite the scoreline, Bolton continued to work hard in defence whilst hitting Fylde on the counter attack. Bolton came close to scoring from a penalty corner awarded through a counterattack where Jenny Brookfield’s strike was stopped on the line.

It was a similar story in the second half with Fylde building up momentum through attacking play and Bolton standing firm in defence. Erin Turner and Rachael Gibb worked tirelessly as defensive midfielders winning the ball back and looking to start Bolton counterattacks. Despite Bolton continuously working hard with some well worked passing at times, Fylde scored their 3rd half way through the second half from a well worked penalty corner where a strike from the left of circle was deflected in.

With time ticking away, Bolton changed tactics and tried to find a way back into the game by playing route one balls through to the forwards but to no avail. The game ended 3-0 to Fylde.