Sophie Coates, Gracie Smith and Katie King all netted for successive games as Dale climbed to third in the North West Regional League standings.
The game started with Dale on the front foot and aggressively as Alicia Barnett won the ball high in the Woolton half and placed a delicate ball to Phoebe Duckworth, who’s shot flew the wrong side of the post.
MSB Woolton struggled to settle into the game as Dale’s unstoppable goal scorer Coates had the opportunity to open the scoring and she clinically finished the chance. Her drilled strike found the bottom right-hand corner for a lead within five minutes.
One quickly became two, when Smith received the ball from Erin Whyte and unleashed a wonderful strike, whilst off balance, the ball took a nick off the post and into the bottom right to extend the lead after just ten played.
Dale could have easily been four up before the half an hour mark, chances from King and Duckworth were both saved by Woolton’s goalkeeper.
Woolton managed to create a rare opportunity, capitalising on a Dale error with the following attempt blasted over the crossbar.
Unfortunately for Dale, Brooke Strudwick was forced off due to an injury to her hamstring and was replaced by Ellie Southworth.
By the end of the first half, Coates had a one and one opportunity to make it three for Dale, however, she was unable to convert her brace.
Dale kicked off the second half and started on the front foot, pinning Woolton in their half but chances were had to come by as defensively Woolton proved much tighter at the back.
50 minutes played and a beautifully chipped ball from Smith gave King an opportunity to make it three for Dale. Her powerful strike hit the roof of the net to put real daylight between the sides with Smith notching her seventh assist in the process.
A standout effort from Smith later in the second-half crashed onto the cross bar with Dale finding openings in a bid to extend the advantage.
Coates came close to doing so but the effort also drifted off target in the game’s final opportunity with Dale now claiming seven wins from 12 to climb to third.
Manager Lee Atkinson spoke on the girls’ willingness to perform well and showing both aspects of their game.
“I’m really happy with the performance and getting the three points today, we were excellent all over the pitch”, says Atkinson.
“I thought defensively we were solid, I don’t think MSB Woolton had a shot on target all game and attacking wise, we were good, and we should have scored more but, still pleased with the result.
“We knew (our team) would want to battle for the game today, but the work rate of the girls today was phenomenal and couldn’t of asked for more from them today.
“It’s amazing to get yet another clean sheet, I think it just proves how well we did as a team defensively and how we kept them from having any real clear-cut chances at goal”.
Midfielder Whyte was pleased with the sides togetherness in what proved to be a comfortable afternoon.
“I think we played really well and all the girls gave everything on the pitch, it was a well-deserved win.
“Our passing I thought was on point and our team work was amazing throughout the game and we learnt that when we stay together as a team, we can beat anyone and it was a prime example of this.
Dale XI | Nash, Strudwick (c), Malpus, E.Jones, Whyte, Smith, Moran, Coates, Barnett, Duckworth, King
Subs | Williams, Burke, Southworth, Lawler
