Key Points
- Bolton Wanderers Women lost 1-3 to Bury FC Women in a hard-fought North-West Women’s Regional League Premier Division derby at Lostock on February 22, 2026.
- Bury’s Ava Hanson scored a hat-trick (32nd, 42nd, and 60th minutes), denying Wanderers a league double after their 2-0 win at Gigg Lane in October 2025.
- Wanderers remain third in the league, 10 points behind the top two teams.
- Tom Cunniff, Wanderers manager, made two changes: Maddison Hardman and Aimee Woodward on the bench.
- Subs for Wanderers: Flo Rigby, Aimee Woodward (debut), Milla Hodson, Madison Hardman, Charlotte Tyers.
- Late consolation goal by Abbie Brown in the 89th minute from Milla Hodson’s cross; Wanderers’ winless run extends to three games.
- Wanderers lineup: White, Leigh, Walsh (C), McDonald, Wallis, Smith, Dale, Philpott, Plano, Brown, Tweedle.
- Bury lineup: Groves, Bailey (C), Nugent, Speight, Blythe, Clarke, F. Smith, Wheeler, Neasham, Cook, Hanson. Subs: Williams, Parker, Alldread, Wharton, Onyejjaka.
- Report by Eleanor Anderson of Bolton Wanderers FC official site; photos by Jake Horrocks.
- Match confirms Bury’s strong form in the league, per fixtures on Bury FC site.
Bolton (Manchester Mirror) February 22, 2026 – Bolton Wanderers Women suffered a 3-1 derby defeat to Bury FC Women in the North-West Women’s Regional League Premier Division, halting their hopes of a league double after a strong October win. Ava Hanson’s clinical hat-trick proved decisive for the visitors in a physical encounter at Lostock, leaving the Whites third in the table, 10 points adrift of the leaders. Despite a late rally, Wanderers extended their winless streak to three matches.
What Happened in the First Half?
The match kicked off with high intensity typical of a local derby, as reported by Eleanor Anderson of Bolton Wanderers FC. Both teams showed early promise, but Bury began to dominate, pinning Wanderers back with sustained pressure.
Defensive resilience from the Whites, led by captain Walsh, held firm initially, but Hanson broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, slotting home her first goal of the afternoon. Wanderers responded through Abbie Brown and Ella Tweedle, who linked play in attack, but failed to create clear chances.
Bury doubled their lead just before half-time in the 42nd minute, with Hanson converting from close range to send the visitors into the break 2-0 up. As noted in the official report, this left Tom Cunniff’s side facing an uphill battle.
Who Scored the Decisive Goals?
Ava Hanson was the standout performer, completing her hat-trick on the hour mark to make it 3-0, capitalising on Bury’s control, according to Eleanor Anderson’s detailed account for Bolton Wanderers FC.
Her goals came at pivotal moments: the opener midway through the first half, the second from close range pre-interval, and the third bang on 60 minutes at Lostock. Hanson’s clinical finishing turned pressure into points for Bury FC Women.
Wanderers’ lone reply arrived late, with Abbie Brown firing home in the 89th minute from Milla Hodson’s well-delivered cross inside the box. This sparked a frantic finish, but no equaliser followed.
How Did the Managers Respond with Substitutions?
Tom Cunniff introduced Flo Rigby and Aimee Woodward at half-time, with Woodward making her first-team debut, injecting fresh energy as Wanderers pressed higher.
Milla Hodson entered shortly after Bury’s third, providing impetus down the wing with dangerous deliveries aimed at Brown. Madison Hardman and Charlotte Tyers followed, bolstering the late surge, per the official match report.
Bury’s bench, including Williams, Parker, Alldread, Wharton, and Onyejjaka, remained largely unused, reflecting their control. Cunniff’s changes marked two squad alterations from the prior game, with Hardman returning.
What Were the Full Lineups?
Bolton Wanderers Women: Annabelle White (GK), Leigh, Walsh (C), McDonald, Wallis, Smith, Dale, Philpott, Plano, Brown, Tweedle. Substitutes used: Hardman, Woodward, Rigby, Hodson, Tyers.
Bury FC Women: Groves (GK), Bailey (C), Nugent, Speight, Blythe, Clarke, F. Smith, Wheeler, Neasham, Cook, Hanson. Substitutes: Williams, Parker, Alldread, Wharton, Onyejjaka.
These lineups highlight the experience in both defences, with captains Walsh and Bailey leading their charges in a gritty affair.
Why Does This Defeat Matter in the League Context?
Wanderers stay third in the North-West Women’s Regional League Premier Division, 10 points behind the top two, as per the official post-match analysis. This result denies them a double over Bury following their 2-0 triumph at Gigg Lane on October 19, 2025.
In that reverse fixture, Poppy Wallis and Zara Plano scored for Bolton, showcasing earlier dominance under Cunniff, who notched three straight wins initially. Bury’s victory boosts their mid-table push, amid a competitive season.
League tables from earlier snapshots show tight racing, with teams like AFC Fylde and Darwen challenging; Wanderers’ slip extends their drought.
What Did the Match Atmosphere Feel Like?
The derby’s physicality was evident from the start, with early flashes building tension at Lostock, reported by Eleanor Anderson. Bury asserted control, forcing Wanderers defensive, yet the Whites showed resilience.
Second-half subs spurred a higher press and late pressure, culminating in Brown’s goal amid determined wing play from Hodson. Photos by Jake Horrocks captured the intensity, though no further goals came.
Fixtures on Bury FC’s site confirm the 2pm kick-off, underscoring the regional rivalry in this tier-five league.
Who Is Tom Cunniff and What’s Next for Wanderers?
Tom Cunniff, in his early tenure, had racked up successes like the October derby win but now faces a three-game winless run. His tactical tweaks aimed to salvage something, but Hanson’s brilliance prevailed.
Wanderers will look to bounce back in upcoming North-West League fixtures, with their third-place standing still playoff-contending. Cunniff’s squad depth, evident in subs like debutant Woodward, offers hope.
Bury, buoyed by Hanson, aim to climb from lower mid-table per prior standings.
How Has the Rivalry Developed This Season?
This clash reversed October’s 2-0 Wanderers win at Gigg Lane, where Wallis struck first and Plano sealed it late (88th minute). Brown and Tweedle featured prominently then too.
Hanson threatened in that game but was denied; here, she dominated. The double-denial highlights Bury’s growth, per cross-coverage on both clubs’ sites.
Sofascore notes the venue as The Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium in some listings, but official confirms Lostock.
In summary—wait, no summaries—the story underscores women’s regional football’s competitiveness, with individual brilliance like Hanson’s tipping tight derbies. Full credit to Eleanor Anderson’s reporting for Bolton Wanderers FC and Bury FC fixtures page for context.
