BOLTON ladies’ second team battled their way to the final of the All-Divisions’ Plate, winning a penalty-flick decider after a 2-2 draw with Didsbury Northern fourths in the semi-final.
Bolton commanded possession early but it was hosts Didsbury who opened the scoring with a strong wing attack that culminated in a superb angled shot putting them ahead.
Laura Watson and Fiona Clarke had a couple of chances in front of goal, but they were scrambled to safety by Didsbury, who were denied at the other end by Bolton keeper Megan Hayes, who produced a stunning save from a flick to keep the score 1-0.
The second half started with Didsbury catching Bolton on a break and doubling their lead.
However, Bolton showed no sign of conceding the tie and after they were also awarded a flick Debbie Nicholson stepped up and converted the chance, smashing the ball hard and low into the Didsbury goal to take the score to 2-1.
That is how it stayed until, with six minutes to go, Watson won the ball in her own D and ran past numerous Didsbury players, all the way to the opposition D before smashing it past the keeper to level at 2-2 and send the semi-final to penalties.
Nicholson, Debbie Green and Watson all scored their flicks, and two spectacular saves by Hayes meant Didsbury had to score their final flick.
But a wayward attempt, fired wide of Hayes’ goal, meant Bolton had secured a place in the final.
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