WANDERERS Women maintained their 100 per cent start to the season – but they were forced to

work

to the bitter end by a resolute Atherton LR.

Lily Barnes scored from the penalty spot just before half time to give the Whites a slender advantage but the visitors had gone mightily close to a goal of their own with Annabelle White making a brilliant save to deny Emma Cossey.

Myles Smith’s side had rattled six goals past Workington on the opening day of the season but found the going much tougher against a resolute LR defence.

Eboni Bradshaw had pulled one good chance wide before being forced off the pitch with an injury – the defender avoiding punishment despite seemingly denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Chances had also fallen to Charlotte Tyers and the lively Jess Lightfoot, the latter denied by an excellent challenge from Sophie Badrock. But at the other end, Rovers’ most effective player on the day, Mia Woods, had curled one shot just wide and put a pin-point cross on to the head of Amy Huyton which was glanced just wide.

Wanderers got themselves ahead when Lightfoot was pulled back after getting around goalkeeper Abbie Fitton, the referee awarding a penalty when it became clear she would not get a shot off on goal.

Barnes smashed home the penalty but Rovers refused to buckle and the second half remained a tense affair.

Eleanor Seals’ ball carrying skills created a new avenue of attack, and after dancing past three challenges she brought a good save out of the keeper at the start of the second half, with Bradshaw – back on the pitch thanks to the rolling subs rule – pulling another shot just wide.

Casey Ross tested Bolton keeper White with another effort shortly afterwards but the chances quickly dried up and the game became more of a test of nerve.

Both defences held firm – Alana Pennington standing out for LR – and there was more exemplary handling from White in the latter stages amid failing light, meaning both sides walked off the pitch content with their night’s work.