Salford played Bolton on perhaps the worst pitch of the season, the quagmire made the game difficult for both teams.
Bolton scored first from a corner, which left Salford stunned having had the better of the first 15 minutes. With some good football from Katie Winder, Chantelle Hughes and Claire Beard, Salford was soon back in the game. After some skilful defending Katie Winder passed the ball down the wing to Rhea Knowles who turned a Bolton player, Jess Daly received the ball and flicked it through to Chelsea Scholes who ran at the Bolton defence, beat three players and slotted the ball neatly into the net, 1-1.
Salford knew they were in a game with Bolton showing some good football, but Salford held firm and were rewarded for their efforts when Lyndsey Newman, Hannah Denholm and Ranade Coffey took command of the midfield. Lyndsey Newman sent the ball through to Anne Beagan who moved wide, a Bolton player put in a tackle and the ball went out for a corner. From the corner Lyndsey Newman sent in a brilliant ball that Anne Beagan headed into the top corner of the Bolton net, 1-2.
Bolton were resolute to equalise but were unable to break through the Salford defence, when they did Leanne Jones the Salford keeper deprived them further. With minutes to go before half time Salford lost their concentration and this gave Bolton the opportunity to equalise, 2-2.
The second half started with a lot of determination from both teams, Salford being denied more goals through some fine defending from Bolton. With a long ball up to the Bolton forward who went passed the Salford defence and knocked the ball round the Salford keeper Bolton took the lead, 3-2.
Salford made some changes and brought on two subs, with fresh legs Bolton were now under the cosh. A good interception by Chantelle Hughes in the Salford defence allowed Salford to counter attack, the ball was sent through to Lyndsey Newman who passed to Abbie Wynn, Chelsea Scholes timed her run perfectly to receive the pass, she ran between two Bolton players to score Salford’s third goal much to Bolton’s dismay, 3-3.
With less than a minute to full time Becky Steen sent a long ball in leaving Abbie Wynn one on one with the Bolton keeper – the Bolton keeper dived to get the ball and as she did Abbie Wynn jumped over the keeper to avoid a collision, the Bolton keeper spilled the ball and it rolled two feet in front of her, in the scuffle to retrieve the ball the referee blew for full time, 3-3.
Player of the match Chelsea Scholes.
Absolutely superb all through the match.
