Bolton Wanderers Women boss Myles Smith on Hindley clash

The Whites have made a perfect start in the league - winning all six of their matches so far - and currently sit joint-top of the table with Penrith, who have played an extra game.

Bolton tasted defeat for the first time this season a fortnight ago, coming up short against Tranmere in the FA Cup despite taking the lead through Milla Hodson’s effort.

It was a tough test against opposition from a higher division, and Smith believes they will only benefit from the experience.

“Everyone is feeling good,” he told The Bolton News. “We didn’t have a game last weekend so it has given us a bit of extra preparation time.

“The last game we played was Tranmere, which was our first loss this season, but we managed to shake off the hangover from that and are looking forward to getting back on the pitch again.

“With Hindley, they are a team who have struggled for results so far this season but when we played them away, they gave us a good game.

“We were a little bit complacent and it almost cost us, so we have to make sure that does not happen again.”

Wanderers put Tranmere under pressure for spells in the second half but could not quite find an equaliser before Lorna Stratton put the tie to bed.

Faye Knox has been settling in after joining the Whites (Image: BWFC) “We were really looking forward to that game because we played them in pre-season and knew we could match them and give them a good game,” Smith added.

“They are doing very well in the league above and that is where we want to get to, and beyond that in years to come.

“The first half was out of character, it was the first one I have seen this season where we didn’t look like Bolton Wanderers Women. That was disappointing, especially in a cup game, but you learn from it.

“Second half, we adjusted a few things and had a conversation with the players. They knew what needed to be done and I thought we dominated the ball, it was a bit of an attack-v-defence practice.

“The goal was coming at 2-1 but we make a mistake at the back, which happens, and it goes 3-1 to kill off the game.

“We learnt that we can match these bigger teams from the league above and we feel ready for that level. We also learnt that in any football game, it cannot take you 45 minutes to get going because you will lose.”

With no fixture last weekend, the break gave Smith a chance to reflect on Wanderers’ start to the campaign.

It was a hectic summer for the manager, who was tasked with building a squad from scratch after the team moved under club operations.

“If you told me before matchday one we would have six wins from six in the league, of course we would have taken it,” he said.

“But the more important side is the team dynamic, the culture we are creating, the players we have brought in and the enjoyment on their faces.

“I am really happy with what we have done in a short space of time. When you put any new team together, it takes time to gel and build connections.

“In a football season, you don’t have time – you have an eight-week pre-season and then have to start winning matches.

“It is nice we have managed to have 14 weeks of getting everything together and building relationships while also picking up points, so massive credit to all the players and staff for that.”

Faye Knox’s arrival from Blackburn last month was described as a ‘statement signing’, having played in the Championship and had stints at Manchester City and Liverpool.

Smith says Knox has had a good impact on the squad and is confident the 19-year-old can “hit the ground running” when called upon.

“She is absolutely brilliant, she is an unbelievable player and a great character,” he smiled.

“I have been working with her now for a short amount of time, she has a bit of a cheeky side to her and says it as it is.

“She is confident and makes the team smile. She has been at a higher level so comes with a lot of experience.

“She is settling in well with the group, which is most important, and on the field. We are seeing her start to show what she can do in training.

“Obviously, it takes time for a player to come in and they don’t hit the ground from the very first training session.

“We have been holding her back a bit as well, we managed her training load so she probably feels a bit like a caged lion at the moment! But she is ready to hit the ground running when she makes her debut.”

Sunday's game will be played at Atherton Colls, with kick-off at 2pm. As always with Wanderers Women home matches, admission is FREE.