Bolton Wanderers Women (H)
NWWRL Premier Division
Matchday 3

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• Sunday 24th August 2025
• 2pm kick off
• The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FE
• Season tickets valid for this game
• Complimentary tickets valid for this game
• Pay on the gate. Adults £3, Concessions £1.

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Preview

West Women play their second home game in a week as they welcome newly-promoted Bolton Wanderers to Brookburn Road. 

This meeting comes quickly after an impressive 1-0 win on Wednesday night against AD&P Plate holders Curzon Ashton. The performance demonstrated a significant improvement from the heavy opening-day loss at AFC Fylde, and now gives West the chance to record back-to-back wins for the first time since October 2024. 

The winner on Wednesday was scored by Ava Bushell on her home debut for West. Elsewhere, Darcy Bancroft also made her first start and club legend Shortz returned to Brookburn Road as captain.

Opponents Bolton Wanderers have lost both their games so far this season. They started with an away defeat at last year's runners-up Darwen, and followed that with a 4-2 loss in midweek at home to FC United of Manchester. They consequently sit two places behind West in 11th.

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About Bolton Wanderers Women

Despite their tough start to life in the Premier Division, Bolton are undoubtedly an ambitious outfit and won't be used to losing consecutive games like they done.

They remained unbeaten whilst cantering to the NWWRL Division One North title last season and won 20 out of their 22 games. They also whilst scored an average of more than five goals a game and managed a +100 goal difference across a 22 game season.

That title was one half of a league and cup double, as Sunday's visitors also lifted the FA Women's Challenge Cup with a 5-1 win over Accrington Stanley in the final. 

The Whites have made a number of eye-catching signings over the Summer from higher up the pyramid. They signed Pakistan international Sanah Mehdi, former Blackburn Rovers captain Heidi Clark and Evie Sadler who joined from Burnley having played in the youth squads for Liverpool and Wales. They then strengthened the squad again in midweek as Zara Plano joined on a dual-registration with Everton, and Adekite Fatuga-Dada joined Bolton having spent most of her career at Watford and starring for Lewes in the National League last season. Fatuga-Dada has also appeared for the Nigerian national side to add to Bolton's international pedigree. 

Off the pitch, former Manchester City and Liverpool defender Megan Campbell has joined the club as Assistant Coach. 

Bolton Wanderers Women's team were formed in 1983, but they parted ways with the Trotters in 2020. However, they were reintegrated into the main club in March 2024 and played their home games at Atherton Collieries' Dreams2Reality Stadium last season before making Chorley FC their home this Summer. The Whites played their first ever game at the Toughsheet Stadium on the final game of the 24/25 campaign.

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Directions to the Step Places Stadium

We encourage supporters to use public transport, cycle or walk if possible. 

By car:

There is no parking available at the ground for supporters, except for pre-booked disability access. 

Please instead use Hardy Farm, M21 8DP.

Disability spaces must be accessed no later than one hour before kickoff and all vehicles will be unable to exit until 15 minutes after the final whistle to ensure the safety of all supporters leaving the stadium.

There is additional public car parking on Chorlton Ees opposite The Bowling Green pub, who are also allowing supporters to use the pub car park, but there is little other on-street parking.

Please also note that there is no parking available on Brookburn Road itself, nor the surrounding Chorltonville area, as they are privately maintained, exclusively for the use of residents.

By public transport:

The Step Places Stadium is one mile from Chorlton Metrolink station, on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines. Follow Google Maps directions to find your way to the ground.

If you are travelling from outside the Greater Manchester area, the Metrolink network can be accessed from any of Manchester’s central train stations. Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website for tram times and more information.

By cycle:

The Step Places Stadium is a perfect location for those who cycle, being located next to the River Mersey, Sale Ees and only a few minutes away from the Fallowfield Cycle Loop. We have secure bicycle racks inside the ground to lock up your bike throughout the game. Please ask a volunteer if you need assistance.

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Prohibited items

Bringing pyrotechnics, drums/instruments and/or alcohol into the ground is prohibited. It is a criminal offence to bring pyrotechnics into any stadium. Stewards may conduct bag searches for prohibited items upon entrance to the stadium. Bag searches are a condition of entry and your co-operation is greatly appreciated. Spectators who break these rules may be banned from the ground and any pyrotechnics and/or alcohol will be confiscated.