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Rochdale AFC Women's win over Wigan Ladies continued Dale’s perfect start to the season and moved them three points clear at the top of the table.
Sophie Coates moved on to five goals for the season with two goals, Holly Davenport with the other goal.
Wigan, who were unbeaten going into the fixture, started the brighter of the two as they pinned Dale back early on.
Dale began to grow into the game ten minutes in with promising chances falling the way of the Dale attackers.
Dale seized the initiative when a well-worked ball from midfield found Coates, who beat her first marker before unleashing a shot into the corner for the opening goal.
Hattie Simpson, making her Dale debut in goal, was called into action shortly after and made a good save to prevent an equaliser.
Dale added a second goal early in the second half, Davenport pressed well to force Wigan into a mistake with Alicia Barnett latching on to the ball but she was brought down. Dale were awarded a penalty, which Davenport made no mistake with.
Wigan responded with moments of their own.
Simpson flew to her left-hand side to tip wide a Wigan effort which was headed for goal.
This spurred Dale on to score a third goal and it was the in-form Coates again. Substitute Daisy Mason flicked a forward ball onto the striker who put the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs.
Dale manager Lee Atkinson said: “I’m really happy with the group, Wigan are a good side.
“We had to get everything right today and we did that with good control and creating good chances.
“It’s another outstanding performance at the back, four clean sheets in five and a fantastic debut from Hattie in goal.
“We turn our focus now to a huge FA Cup game, where we’ll be looking to keep the high standards. We know Penwortham are a good side and we’ll need to take them seriously.”
Dale XI | Simpson, Mackie, Strudwick, Jones, Duckworth, Seals, Moran, Smith, Barnett (c), Davenport, Coates.
Subs | Egbon, Taylor, Mason, Priestley, Whipp.
