Withymoor Ladies FC 0
Wolves Women 5 (Roberts 40, 49, 52; Large 59; Bradford 84)
Wolves booked their place in the third round of the Birmingham County Cup with a 5-0 win over Withymoor Ladies at their Gornal Athletic ground.
Manager James Astle took the opportunity to give a runout to players coming back from injury, and also to give a debut to three Centre of Excellence players who've recently turned 16 and are now eligible to play open-age football. It was therefore a first experience playing in the senior side for goalkeeper Chelsea Dixon and defenders Lili'beth Bown and Emma Day.
Keeper Dixon was soon pressed into action, making a save in the third minute, but unfortunately turning her ankle in the process. She had to be substituted and left the ground in an ambulance following a very short debut appearance.
Wolves dominated play in the first half, but with Withymoor defending well, it took until the 40th minute to register their opening goal. Anne Johnson's ball into the box was neatly flicked home by Louise Roberts for her opening goal of the season, in her first competitive start since missing all of last season through injury.
The second half saw Roberts complete her hat-trick with two more accomplished strikes in the 49th and 52nd minute before being rested.
Rebecca Large added to the goal tally in the 59th minute with a 25 yard looping shot which beat the keeper, before Jay Bradford made it five in the 84th minute from a Sophie Richards cross.
Wolves Girls' Centre of Excellence Manager Laura Milburn was at the game to watch the performance of her young players. She said: "It was a great run-out for Emma and Lili'beth and gave them a taste of first team football.
"Chelsea's injury was really unfortunate, but we've heard that it's ligament damage so it's not as bad as it could have been. She'll have three weeks' rest, then a recovery programme to get her playing again."
"It's great to see the players coming through from the Centre of Excellence. Chelsea and Emma have been with us since the age of ten, and Lil'beth since she was 13, so it's a proud moment to see them playing for the senior side."
Manager and Centre of Excellence Director James Astle added: "I was pleased to hear the reaction of the crowd to the young players. They certainly demonstrated their potential. It shows that the development programme through the Centre of Excellence is working well.
"Chelsea's injury in the third minute was a real shame, but it's just one of those things. She'll certainly remember her first team debut!"
* Next Sunday 22nd November sees Wolves back in league action as they entertain Crewe Alexandra. The game will be played at Goodrich Sports Ground, Stafford Road, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, with a 2pm kick-off.
PICTURED: From left, Centre of Excellence manager Laura Milburn, Lili'beth Bown, Chelsea Dixon, Emma Day, Centre of Excellence director and Wolves Women manager James Astle.
