This is a famous fixture in the calendar of Bolton County Women’s team – as today we were welcoming our old friends from Carlisle United Ladies – and having faced these in our first-ever game, it is always fitting to see them back again. This was going to be the third time we’ve faced our friends now and knowing that they ply their trade in the North West Women’s Regional League, this is always a tough game. But having played our first friendly last weekend, the girls looked up for it and ready as they started arriving at a sun-drenched County Ground so it promised to be yet another exciting encounter. The temperatures were sure to take it out of both sides but as the teams warmed up, it was fun and smiles all-round…

There was much need for a proper ‘warm-up’ as we were all sweltering already – but as the game got underway, it was County who started the better. We were quickly on the front foot and playing the nicer of the football so it wasn’t much of a surprise when we took the lead – Amelia closing down their keeper rapid to steal the ball and slam it into the empty net. 1-0 to County and we were off!

And taking the lead seemed to spur the girls on and winning a corner over on the left, Kelly B went across to take it. She placed the ball down with venom and as she whipped in a delightful cross, there was that girl Amelia again to rise like a salmon and plant her header hard into the back of the visitors net. 2-0 to Bolton County and this had been a fantastic start. We knew that Carlisle United wouldn’t simply roll over though so there was still a lot of work to do…

Faye and Amelia were giving their defenders all sorts of headaches at this stage though and it took two world-class saves from their No.1 to stop our Amelia grabbing her hat-trick. But not long after that, it was like a repeat of last weekend when Faye had to come off due to a twisted ankle and despite all of the pressure we had been putting on them, that change seemed to upset the equilibrium. The visitors saw that as an opportunity and they started to see more of the ball in our last third. They had made some slight tactical changes – and it paid off when they got themselves on the scoresheet – although there was more than a strong hint of offside when the chance was created. Not given by the match-official, their striker raced forward and smashed the ball home from about 15 yards out. Steeled by that, it wasn’t long before they had levelled the game and in truth, this was a brilliant individual goal. Their captain picked the ball up midway in our half and set off on a mazy dribble that saw her approach our box and she managed to slide the ball home to nestle in the back of our net. A great goal if we’re honest and now it was very much game-on again. 2-2…

As the seconds ticked away towards the break, the coaches of both sides were desperate to get their players in – if only for a bit of respite from this glorious sunshine. But just as we hit the 45 minute mark, it was United who took the lead – with a fortuitous goal when all’s said and done. Their winger made a good run down the right and as she crossed it in, it seemed to loop at an awkward angle – and dipped just in time to drop under our bar and in the back of our net. All that hard work we had put in during these first 45 minutes but it was still going to be the visitors that were going in with the lead. That didn’t matter though as we have more than enough quality in this squad to pull this back. The referee decided that it was time for a drink so with a sharp blow of the whistle, that was it for the first-half…

Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY WOMEN 2-3 Carlisle United Ladies

As the girls came in to fill their lungs and get some well-deserved fluids on board, the coaches were more than happy with what they had just seen out there. Sure – we had given away a two-goal lead – but we were great in stages so we just had to keep that going again now. Changes were made and as the girls trotted back out there to do it all again, there was still an optimistic mood floating around the Radcliffe Road skies…

Both sides started the second half in a determined fashion – with the midfields trying to take control of the pace of the game – and it was making for a great battle in there. Some great tackles were being put in and it was good to see the rivalry was always greeted with a handshake or helping each other up. We thought we had levelled though when a great ball through the channel saw Amelia onto it in a flash but she could only rifle her effort just wide of the mark – and up the other end of the pitch went the visitors to increase their lead! A good move saw the ball crossed in and their striker met it with a looping header that had our No.1 back-pedalling only to see the ball nestling on the bottom corner of her net. 2-4 to Carlisle and we had it all to do now…

The heat was definitely starting to take it’s toll now though and with both sets of players visibly wilting in the sun, it was County who came closest to scoring again. This time we worked it well down the flank and as it came into Poppy, she seemed to be free – only to see the ball end up between her feet and she just couldn’t get the shot away to cause them any harm. And that was that really. It wasn’t long before the game came to an end and it was the visitors that were leaving with the bragging rights this time. What a great game of football though – and played in the right spirit. We love taking these on and we are already really looking forward to making the trip north next summer for the fourth instalment of this fixture. Thanks for coming down today and as always, we wish you all the very best of seasons between now and May.

But for now this was about County – and this had been a really good performance against a team two divisions above us. There are plenty of positives to take from this and with a number of new players in the squad – including two brand new faces – there is a lot to be excited about come the start of the season. The whole squad were awarded with the ‘Girl of the Game’ for their huge effort and commitment out there and as the dust began to settle, it was another weekend over. It won’t be long until the season starts for real and if today is anything to go by, we’ve got a cracker in store for all you County fans out there. Many thanks for coming down and cheering us on today and we look forward to seeing you all when we play again – so keep an eye out for the fixtures on here…

#UpTheCounty