This was the first game back from the festive break for both teams and Salford was primed to go, with both teams eager to impress this fixture was full of promise.
The match kicked off with a good pace, but with the condition of the pitch it was inevitable it would not last. Both teams were solid in the opening twenty minutes, giving nothing away, then Salford sent an early ball forward finding Siobhan Prescott who hit the ball neatly into the back of the net, 0-1.
Sam Chesters looking to make her mark as the best goalkeeper in the division dealt with Bolton's forwards with a cool resilience.
Forty minutes in Salford lost Claire Beard to a knee injury and Salford were awarded a free kick outside the box, Chantelle Hughes stepped up to lob the keeper. Salford were unlucky not to finish the first half 0-3 when Kerry Tierney hit the post with a strong header but Salford couldn't convert the rebound. Half-Time 0-2.
With Bolton trailing a more attacking approach was made. Salford down to ten players were made to work harder in defence but Chantelle Hughes, Kerry Tierney, Jodie Warburton and Anne Beagan slotting in for Claire Beard were equal to any threat, along with Holly Ramsden who commanded the midfield for Salford.
This gave Salford the opportunity to counter attack; a snap shot on the angle of the penalty area from Holly Ramsden was pushed over by the Bolton keeper. Rhea Knowles stepped up to take the corner, hitting the ball towards the penalty spot causing a scramble in the area, the ball came back out to Rhea who fired the ball into the back of the net from the tightest of angles. Full-Time 0-3.
Salford's player of the match was a difficult one to choose with so many good performances.
Player of the Match
Siobhan Prescott.
