Workington Town Women opened their North West Women’s Regional League Division 1 North campaign with a 3-1 defeat at Bolton.
The Cumbrians made the journey with a few new faces in the squad from what had finished the previous season.
Making their competitive debuts for Town having joined in the summer from neighbours Whitehaven AFC, were Niamh Morgan, Molly Blair and Ella Beadsmoore.
Newly promoted Bolton Wanderers had been crowned champions of the Lancashire Women’s Premier Division last season and were further strengthened with an influx of quality players from their First Team after a club restructuring programme was undertaken during the summer months.
This meant that Town were facing a tough opening day away trip, possibly one of the toughest they’ll face in the league all season.
However, a strong recruitment drive meant that Town have got plenty to be hopeful about for the season ahead and their opening day disappointment should be tempered against the quality of opposition and an adjustment to dynamics on the pitch as the players settle in and gel together.
Town were out of the blocks with confidence and built most of the early chances in the game.
Good link-up play between Nat Broad, Hayley Bracken and Bea Barber saw the latter’s edge of the area effort slip past Matilda Lester’s right-hand post to safety.
This was followed soon by some strong pressing from Barber on the home back line which resulted in Town gaining possession in a good position.
Barber released Sarah Smith into space before crossing to find Bracken centrally. This time Lester’s left post was threatened, but the ball passed the wrong side again. Bolton returned with a route one ball from Lester, but fortunately for Town Linzi Donaldson used her experience to take control and defuse the threat.
Bolton were starting to find a rhythm and a second attack followed, only to be thwarted this time by covering pressure from Morgan and a fine save from keeper Laura Miller.
Bolton’s pressure was rewarded in the 30th minute after an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration allowed the ball to be carried through the middle of the park before striker Ella Tweedle was released in on goal and a clinical finish gave Bolton the lead.
Town hit back 10 minutes later after strong running from Tiegan Hargrave up the left had forced the covering defenders to concede a corner.
Broad stepped up to take with the delivery finding Kirsten Donald’s head which was flicked home from close range to level the game.
Bolton were keen to regain control and may well have done so had it not been for a display of strong defending from Blair and the keen reactions of Miller just before the break.
Miller was called into action early in the second half with a good near post save as the home side found good space in behind on their right.
This was followed soon after when Town’s Cassie Donald worked Lester from a free kick from the right.
Bracken kept Lester honest moments later a she had to make a good diving save from a strong strike after Bracken had been found in space by a good connection from Smith.
Bolton went ahead on the hour mark as they took advantage when Blair was down injured 15 yards inside her half of the pitch leaving the back line stretched.
The resulting passage of play meant Tweedle was found in space and was able to set herself before finding Miller’s top left corner.
Their lead was increased ten minutes later when Emmanuella Campbell was fed in behind the Town defence before drawing Miller out of her goal.
She then showed good composure as she slotted past Miller to find the back of the net.
Beadsmoore nearly capitalised late on after strong presence from Bracken in the home area had seen the ball fall to her.
Under pressure from the home defence added pressure to the strike which unfortunately passed the wrong side of Lester’s goal. Town were unable to influence the scoreline and the game ended with the home side taking all three points on offer.
Town’s Player of the Game was awarded to debutant Niamh Morgan for a strong performance throughout the game and her determination in her defensive duties.
After the game, manager Paul Mackenzie said: “I think it’s fair to say that we huffed and puffed today but never really found our groove.
“Credit has to go to Bolton for their part in disrupting our play and staying focused in key moments of the game, specifically with their second goal which came when the game was finely balanced.
“It’s also fair to say that this won’t be our strongest performance of the season, it would be hard to expect that at this stage, given that we need to learn how each other plays and develop some cohesion as a squad.
“I have no fear in us achieving this, and when we do we will be a tough proposition for any team to face.”
Town’s attention now switches to tomorrow night as they face Penrith at Frenchfield in what will be their second game in a spell of five over the opening couple of weeks of the season.
Their first home game will follow a week later when they host Morecambe Ladies at the Fibrus Community Stadium on August 27.
