It was the fourth time the two sides had met this season - they were drawn against each other in both the Women's FA Cup and the FAWNL Plate - but while each of those games had been settled by the odd goal, twice in United's favour, the scoreline was much more emphatic on this occasion.

Anna Soulsby's return to action following a broken ankle has been a big boost to Becky Langley in recent weeks and the forward with the pink boots opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Cutting in from the right flank, Soulsby curled an exquisite effort beyond the visiting goalkeeper for her second goal of the season.

Bolton fought back, hitting the bar soon after Dominyka Podziute had made a good save to prevent an equaliser, but United doubled their advantage just before half time through Imogen Longcake's second goal in three matches, the winger finishing well after outpacing the visiting defence.

In the 56th minute, Rhiannon Gray made the most of some indecisiveness in the Bolton backline to make it 3-0 with a deft lob, before Gray got her second of the day with a piledriver from 25 yards in the 82nd minute.

Three of her four goals this season have come against Bolton, and she said: "It was a good team performance. We had more chances that we probably should have put away. Every goal was a great goal so there's a good vibe in the team.

"We've got some big games coming up - Brighouse and then Chester le Street. We need to be taking points from them and keep climbing where we can."

Newcastle United Women: Dominyka Podziute, Courtney Lock, Jane Harland, Emily Tait (Brianna Westrup 64), Megan McKenzie, Rhiannon Gray, Kacie Elson, Imogen Longcake (Rebecca Olley 71), Anna Soulsby, Beth Gardener, Abbie Gilchrist (Bethany Guy 64)

Subs not used: Sophie Miller, Courtney Stewart