Wanderers Women staying grounded ahead of Radcliffe clash

Wanderers Women are keeping their feet firmly on the ground after climbing to the top of the table.

Myles Smith’s side recorded an emphatic 9-0 victory against Hindley last weekend, which saw them move three points clear of second-place Penrith with a game in hand on the Cumbrians.

The Whites are keen to keep building momentum when they make the short trip to Radcliffe this weekend.

“We had to make sure we weren’t complacent going into the (Hindley) game and it was pleasing because we didn’t allow that to happen,” Smith told The Bolton News.

“We went there, stuck to our standards and kept the tempo how we like it to be. We got the job done in good fashion, which is always nice.

“Every opponent gives you a bit of a different challenge and Radcliffe will be different in lots of ways.

“They have had a new manager come in so he is looking to kick things on and has probably changed things a bit.

“There will be a good feel around the place and they will present a different challenge to what Hindley did.

“But if we focus on what we do and make a few adjustments to respect the opposition, hopefully we can get the win.”

Wanderers have taken maximum points from their first seven league matches, with their only defeat so far coming against Tranmere in the FA Cup.

“It is always nice to have points on the board,” the manager continued. “I don’t look at the table as such but we have been winning games.

“We focus our efforts on one game at a time and if you can keep picking up points, you will climb the table.

Smith's backroom team has now been confirmed (Image: Wanderers)

“The staff and players tell me where we are in the table but, for me, it is just important that we pick up wins.

“There will come a point where we draw or lose, or where other teams drops points. At this stage, we are just keeping focused on ourselves.”

Attacker Jess Lightfoot found the net four times against Hindley, taking her tally to eight for the campaign.

Lightfoot joined the Whites on dual-registration from Everton, and Smith believes she will gain plenty from playing regular league football.

“She is a great player,” he said. “We knew the potential she has and that this would be a good place for her to kick on, get a taste of senior football and everything that comes with that.

“She is in the Everton set-up at the moment and they think highly of her. We are lucky to have her in a Bolton shirt.

“She will be able to learn a lot from being in a senior environment and the pressure that comes from that compared to Academy football.”

While the goals have been flowing at one end, Wanderers’ solid base has also been crucial so far this term.

The Whites have only conceded four goals in their seven league matches to date, with goalkeeper Annabelle White making a promising start after arriving on dual-registration from Blackburn Rovers.

Smith insists it has been a real team effort and hopes that trend can continue in the coming weeks.

“We have got a really good base throughout the team and we are not conceding many goals at the moment,” he added.

“It is equally important and massive credit to Anabelle, the backline, the midfield and everybody throughout the team because they all have to do their jobs to keep the ball out of the net.”

Ahead of Sunday's game, the club have officially confirmed Smith’s backroom staff, including assistant manager Carl Haliwell, first team coach Tom Cunniff, goalkeeping coach Guiseppe Emma and lead physio Ashley New.

Wanderers Women have also added Neishai Gordon to their ranks. Gordon previously had spells at Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers, plus a stint training with Champions League hopefuls Standard Liege in Belgium.

“I am so excited, it is another part of my journey and I can’t wait to get started," she told the club site.

“I love everything that is happening here and the direction in which the club is trying to go. What they are doing and the way the team plays suits me and the environment I want to be in moving forward.

“The main part of my game is to make sure it is exciting. I always watched those players growing up and I like to try and do the same and bring that energy whenever I step on the pitch.

“There is a great group here and I have seen it over the last few weeks, it is been a flying start for them. I am so excited to work with them, they have all been so friendly and I can’t wait to get going.”