MYLES Smith praised his young team’s resolve as Wanderers Women continued a winning start to the season against Atherton LR.

Lily Barnes’s first-half penalty proved the difference on a testing evening where the Whites struggled to get their passing game going.

But a group which was largely assembled this summer did show their fighting instincts to stay ahead in a physical contest, which gave Smith something to take away.

“It was hard work but credit to LR they tested us and challenged us, fought really hard and in the first 45 minutes fought a little bit harder than we did, which was a big frustration,” he told The Bolton News.

“We made hard work of it but we have got three points and it shows a lot of character to be 1-0 up in the game and then defend the lead for 60-odd minutes of a football match. If anyone were to question the age or the experience of these players, I think this shows that they might be young but they have character and will fight for each other.”

Goalkeeper Annabelle White – a Wanderers season ticket holder – proved hugely important on the night, making one stunning first-half save to push away Emma Cossey’s dipping volley.

Signed last week on dual registration from Blackburn Rovers, White’s assured handling and command of her area proved pivotal.

“She is fantastic, came in and fitted in straight away,” Smith said. “She brings a wealth of experience playing in higher leagues for Blackburn and if we didn’t have her today then there are a lot of goalkeepers who wouldn’t have made that save and the game becomes 1-1. It’s as good as a goal to me, that save.

“When you come away from these games you learn a lot from them, and when you can do that with three points then obviously you end up with half a smile on your face.

“I said earlier this week that there was some fatigue in the bodies with Sunday and a game on Wednesday but we have to go again now on Sunday at Fleetwood.

“We have a good squad and enough players to choose from but the players will have to do the right things now and recover because it will be another tough game.”

Smith could make changes at the weekend to keep the squad fresh, with many of his young players still coming to terms with the high physical demands of playing twice a week.

“We have options,” he said. “My hardest job across the whole week is picking 16 players. I know it is a cliched thing to say but it is so difficult leaving players at home because there are three or four more who could have been here today but we can only name 16 in the squad.”

Striker Eboni Bradshaw had to come off injured at one stage of the first half but patched herself back up for the second half to finish the game, putting in a hard-working shift that pleased Smith.

“When we played them in pre-season Eboni absolutely terrorised them, and I think they would be the first to admit that,” he said. “Credit to them there, they did well, but she put in a lot of the dirty work, the stuff that isn’t as fun, and that was what the game looked like. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t fun, we weren’t at our best again, but I said earlier I could have done with two more weeks to prepare so maybe we’ll be at our best next week, we’ll see!”