In a frustrating afternoon in terms of the scoreline, Wanderers Women put further and much-needed minutes into their legs in a defeat to Wythenshawe in a behind-closed-doors fixture at Lostock on Sunday.
Wanderers were on the wrong end of a 4-0 defeat against the side just promoted from Tier Five - the league the Whites will compete in this season - in a fixture that was a 3 x 25 minute encounter.
Despite the defeat, there were positive spells for Wanderers Women who gave trials to three players on the day - whilst missing players themselves - and had they took their chances at key moments when they arrived, could have changed the outlook of the scoreline.
The visitors carried quality and power, however, and emphasised why they stormed to the league title last season with an unbeaten campaign, with Caitlin Clarke doing well to make a vital block in the opening period to keep the scores level.
Just minutes later, Faye Knox created an early chance for Wanderers, playing Abbie Brown through inside the box, but the Wythenshawe keeper was quick off her line to deny the opportunity.
Wythenshawe had their first real chance when the space opened up, but the effort flew over the crossbar.
Bolton responded well as one of the trialists broke through into the box, linking up with Knox, who in-turn looked to find Ocean Flanagan, but the final pass just ran out of play.
The hosts continued to threaten and came close once more, with another chance falling the way of a trialist, who saw her low shot fly just wide.
Flanagan, who has shown up well in the opening two pre-season fixtures, had a great chance saved, before the trialist saw her follow-up effort denied by the keeper in a strong double effort.
Two of Wanderers' new arrivals in Natasha Dale and Brown linked up superbly with Natasha playing a clever ball into Abbie Brown, but the final pass was slightly overhit and gathered by the goalkeeper.
At the other end, Annabelle White made a crucial save, with Millie Smith then on hand to clear the danger with attackers closing.
Despite Bolton’s efforts and having most of the early chances - but not taking them - Wythenshawe broke the deadlock during the second of the 25 minute spells.
The response was almost imminent from the Whites as Knox came a matter inches away from equalising, seeing her powerful strike bouncing off the crossbar and away.
With that Wanderers were punished a minute later, as the away side capitalised on a defensive mistake to send the ball flying over White to double their lead. White was called into action again late in the second period, but managed to make another solid stop.
After the final break, Wythenshawe continued to apply pressure and extended their lead before adding a fourth inside the final stages when capitalising on a defensive error to finish from close range.
Despite the final result, there were encouraging signs for Wanderers, particularly during the first hour of the match but could not find their usual clinical touch, to nudge themselves in front.
It proved to be a tough and valuable test for the home side, who will now step up their pre-season preparations in the coming weeks with the season a few weeks away.
Wanderers: White (GK), Clarke, M. Smith, Baldwin ©, Seals, Dale, Flanagan, Tyers, Knox, Brown, Trialist
Subs: Trialist, Trialist
Report by Katherine Byrne, Pictures by Jake Horrocks.