Wolves Women 2 (Packer 5, 16)
Crewe Alexandra Ladies 5 (Spencer 34; Saunders 36, 51; Connell 46; Myatt 52)
Wolves Women surrendered an early two-goal lead to suffer only their second league defeat of the season against Crewe on Sunday afternoon, three of their five goals conceded coming in a crazy seven-minute spell just after half time.
The game started well for Wolves who looked easily the better of the two sides and led 2-0 thanks to a brace from Hayley Packer, pictured, in the fifth and 16th minutes.
The early promise seemed to leave Wolves when Crewe snatched back two goals of their own through Kat Spencer and Michelle Saunders in the 34th and 36th minutes, to go into the break on level footing.
The second half started with Wolves' keeper Becky Thomas struggling with a hamstring pull, and Crewe subjected her to a barrage of shots, resulting in three goals in seven minutes.
Katy Connell, Saunders and Jess Myatt were those able to take advantage to put Crewe firmly in control.
With Thomas unable to continue and Wolves without a keeper on the bench, outfield player Natalie Widdal donned the keeper's gloves and played for the remaining 35 minutes.
Wolves had given debuts to midfielder Sally Stanton and striker Amy McCann, both slotting in well after returning to the game after having babies!
And McCann had a goal disallowed as Wolves got their game flowing again having fallen three goals adrift, with Stanton joining Dani Selmes in also going close.
Widdal did manage to keep a clean sheet, but Wolves had left themselves with too much to do and were unable to redress the balance.
Wolves' coach Laura Milburn said: "I've never experienced such a rollercoaster of a game. The team switched off, and after seven minutes of madness, we were never able to get back into it."
* Next Sunday sees Wolves entertain Radcliffe Olympic. The game will be played at Goodrich Sports Ground, Stafford Road, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, with a later kick-off time of 3.30pm. So fans wishing to attend both mens and ladies fixtures will be able to go along and watch after the game with Birmingham at Molineux.
Team: Thomas (Widdal 54), Longhurst, Bradford (Large 76), Perks (captain), Salter, Stanton, Richards (Roberts 85), Quick, Selmes, McCann, Packer. Sub not used: Hakeman.
Click here to view the latest Midland Womens Combination League table.
