The women’s season in the North West Regional League (Division One Central) ended with Dale fifth in the table having accumulated 31 points from 18 games (10W), (1D) and (7L) as Lee Atkinson guided the team in his third year as manager.
At the start of the summer recruitment process, Atkinson brought in players from Radcliffe; Sophie Coates, Katie King, Erin Whyte, Hollie Burke, Phoebe Duckworth and Nicole Malpus.
Former player Ellie Jones returned to the club after a short spell at Oldham with Daisy Mason arriving from Chorley.
Leah Jackson added to the goalkeeping depth from Mancunian Unity and right-back Ellie Southworth came back to England from a spell in America to join Dale.
Dale opened the season with back-to-back games against Radcliffe, winning both.
A six-goal haul against Pilkington saw Dale reach top spot, but they were beaten the following midweek at Salford City.
The Crown Oil Arena hosted the first women’s fixture in late August, with Sophie Coates already reaching ten goals scored for the season.
The FA Cup saw Dale overcome MSB Woolton but lose out to Accrington in the second qualifying round.
Defeat at St Helens spurred the team on to a 9-2 win over Wigan.
Progression in two separate cup competitions saw the league form stall, albeit a 6-0 win over MSB Woolton pushed them to three unbeaten.
Hannah Chlodek’s nine goals, after arriving to offer support up front, helped Dale to end the season well, in fifth.
Player and Manager’s Player of the Season Sophie Coates scored 37 goals in the season.
