WANDERERS Ladies have turned in three stellar cup performances to keep the hope of silverware well and truly alive this season.

In total, 19 goals were scored over three games and just one conceded as the Whites made progress on three different fronts.

Pick of the bunch for Chris Knight’s side was a hard-earned 2-1 victory against Premier Division high-flyers Derby County to put themselves into the last 16 of the FA Women’s National League Cup for the very first time in the club’s history.

Saf Newhouse struck twice in the opening 15 minutes and Hayley Langford nearly made it three when Derby’s keeper tipped her 45-yard free-kick on to the crossbar.

Cara Newton pulled one back for the Midlanders, breaking her club’s all-time scoring record in the process, but Wanderers held on for a fine win against a side that has been beaten just once in their opening eight league matches.

Progress was also achieved in the SSE Women’s FA Cup against West Didsbury and Chorlton at Brookburn Road.

Dee Tomkins made a couple of important saves early on as the hosts made a fast start but once Bolton recovered their poise, Kelly Halligan was able to break the deadlock 10 minutes before the interval, rolling the ball into the net after going round the keeper.

She repeated the trick a few moments later to give her side a 2-0 lead at the break, seizing on to a poor backpass.

Bolton took control in the second half as Newhouse and Rachel Hindle put added to the goal tally to complete the rout, giving Wanderers passage to the first round proper for the second year running.

Back at the Skuna Stadium, Wanderers made short work of Burnley Belvederes in the Lancashire County Cup, crashing 13 goals past their lower league opponents.

Rosin Havelin and Ruby Howard helped themselves to four apiece, with Saf Newhouse (2), Racheal Hindle, Caitlin Knowles and Nicola Worthington also on the scoresheet in an ultimately one-sided encounter.

Wanderers were also able to offer debuts to 16-year-old youth keeper Olivia Schilling and new signing Lynsey Longhurst, an experienced and highly-rated centre back from Liverpool Feds.

Wanderers Ladies are back in action this Sunday when they take on Norton Ladies in the FA Women’s National League. Kick-off is 2pm at the Skuna Stadium, Atherton Colls.