Last weekend’s good victory over Blackburn Community Reserves had lifted the spirits amongst the ranks tremendously – and today was another chance to keep that good form going as once again we were on the road – this time travelling over to the UCLAN in Preston to take on their North End Development squad and we knew that a win here would take us above today’s hosts in the table so there was a lot to play for. And as we made up way up the M61, the mood in the camp was good and the women were feeling optimistic. Let’s hope we were coming home just as happy if not more…

With the warm-up’s completed, the women looked a little shocked when they were told they were playing with a formation that they had never lined up with before – a 3-5-2 – and when the game started, the opening 15 minutes showed that we were struggling to get used to it. To their credit, the back three of Jess Ross, Del and Jess Murphy were performing heroics as they defended really well in the early stage to give us a base to build upon – but despite Faye hitting the bar with a great effort from distance, it was in fact the hosts that took the lead. A good move saw them play the ball into the feet of their striker who turned well and finished with aplomb from close range. Sometimes football is like this – and we now needed to work a bit harder to get back into this. 0-1…

The County women are a sturdy bunch though and we continued to play with passion and grit – so it was no surprise when parity was restored not long after. We had won the ball well in the middle and in a flash, it had been played forward to see our Amelia break through the lines. That’s enough to worry any defence and as their No.1 came out to narrow the angle, Amelia waited just long enough to hammer her shot under their keeper’s dive and as it nestled in the back of their net, the County players rushed to celebrate with her. 1-1 and we were back in it!

We kept surging forward and in all honesty, most of the play was in their half and we had several chances to take the lead – but it wasn’t until we got the ball out wide and played a glorious cross into the box that we did it. And there was our Rachel to bury the ball home from about 10 yards leaving the Preston keeper no chance of stopping it. 2-1 to County and it was fully deserved….

The home side now came back at us as it was them looking for the equaliser now – but still that back three stood firm and with solid organisation and communication, they were not letting anything past them. We also had chances to score again but they were either saved well by the home stopper or we were putting them agonisingly wide or high of the mark. And when the referee decided he had seen enough and blew for the break, it was the County fans that were going for their brews the most content…

Half-time: Preston North End Development 1-2 BOLTON COUNTY WOMEN

The girls were praised for their efforts as they came in for their drinks and it was pretty much a case of more of the same please. We were creating chances, defending like a brick wall and passing the ball well. We just needed to keep doing that really. So as they made their way back out for the second-half, the away supporters warmly received them…

As soon as the game re-started though, it was clear that the hosts had received a rocket as they were quickly on the front foot and putting us under severe pressure. Within five minutes, the scores were all-square as they forced the ball through the middle and as their striker tucked it away past a diving Becky. 2-2 and it was still there for either side to claim all three points…

Both teams were playing some lovely stuff and with the game going from end to end, it was superb to watch. The home side were so unlucky not to go in front – twice – when good moves ended up cracking our woodwork and down their end, Amelia – who had been a constant thorn in their side – managed to burst through and hit her shot on target only to see their keeper get down well to save it. This was turning into a cracking game of football…

Becky was being kept on her toes more than we would have wanted but when called upon, her concentration levels were first-class. And out on our right Beth had been working tirelessly to get up and down so when she broke free and drove down the left, the away fans looked on hopefully. She hit the bye-line and crafted in a great cross that flew through their six-yard box but we just couldn’t get on the end of it. The minutes were ticking away and it was still there for the taking…

But then it came. As the game entered it’s final stages, we had worked the ball well into their penalty area. The through-ball deflected off of a Preston defender’s head and seemed to catch their keeper unaware – so she struggled to hold onto the ball and like all good strikers, Faye wasn’t going to hang around – and onto it in a flash, she slotted the ball home from about 12 yards. The County players sprinted over to celebrate with her and with the seconds still ticking away, we knew the importance of that goal. 3-2 to Bolton County and all we needed to do now was defend…

And defend we did. The home side pushed hard to get level again and at times, it felt as though they had 8 players attacking us – but still those back three stood firm and it was clear that it was going to take something really special to past them again. And they just couldn’t muster it because not long after, the referee blew for full-time and we had done it! Another well-earned three points to add to the tally. What a game that was and credit must go to both sets of players for providing such a great advert for Women’s football, an excellent atmosphere and attitude to the game and a superb playing surface to make it all possible. The handshakes were done with pride and as we left the pitch, each and every one of them knew they had been in a great match out there…

Quite rightly, the women were applauded loudly as they came in and the coaches were quick to tell them how proud we are of them. And as for the Girl of the Game – well today we awarded it to three of them – that back three. They had never set up in that formation before and although there was a few minutes of getting accustomed to it, they then performed heroics and allowed the more creative players the freedom to work their magic. This was a proper all-round team performance but there has to be special mentions for both Jess Ross and Jess Murphy as well as our Del. What a game ladies!

And that was that. As we packed up and made our way towards the M61 to come home, attention quickly turned to the friendly we’ve got planned for next week – as we take on Sir Tom Finney Development Women in a friendly. If we play like this again, then surely we will be buzzing again in seven days’ time. That’s the plan anyway…

Another great showing from Bolton County Women. Getting a bit repetitive this isn’t it? We love it…

#UpTheCounty!