Radcliffe Olympic Ladies 0
Wolves Women 1 (Perks 41)
Wolves had the lion's share of play in their game away at Nottingham side Radcliffe Olympic on Sunday afternoon, and came away deserved winners after captain Anna Perks, pictured, scored one and had another disallowed.
The game got off to a difficult start for Wolves when defender Natalie Widdal had to be substituted after a crunching tackle in the third minute, forcing positional changes from Manager James Astle.
Undeterred, Wolves had the best of the chances, with Kirstie Bavington coming close and Amber Quick putting through Dani Selmes, but her shot was saved by the keeper.
Perks was having an excellent game, heading over the bar from a Bavington corner, and then just wide from a Hayley Packer free kick. She was then unfortunate to have a goal disallowed from a Packer corner, as her shot was deemed not to have crossed the line by the referee.
But the captain's perseverance eventually paid off in the 41st minute as she headed home another corner from Packer to give Wolves the lead at the break.
The second half saw Wolves continue their pressure, although keeper Becky Thomas did have a couple of saves to make as Radcliffe pushed to try and get back into the game.
At the other end Wolves' Sophie Richards was twice thwarted by the keeper as she was through on goal, and Perks again came close as she headed wide from a Bavington free kick.
Radcliffe, fighting hard to get something out of the game, were awarded a corner in the 90th minute, but it was wide of the mark and Wolves ran out deserved winners.
Assistant Manager Danny Watson said: "I think we did well as Radcliffe are a tough side.
"We were disappointed with the disallowed goal, but put in a better battling performance and showed good character.
"It's always hard to readjust after an early injury, but the girls did well. It was disappointing to pick up three injuries in the game, which will be assessed tomorrow by physio Pete Harris as they need to be protected before the County Cup Final."
* Next Sunday 2nd May sees Wolves play host to Copsewood Coventry. The game will be played at Goodrich Sports Ground, Stafford Road, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton with a 2pm kick-off.
Then on Wednesday 5th May they take on Birmingham City Ladies in the Birmingham County Cup Final at Solihull Moors FC with a 7.30pm kick-off.
TEAM: Thomas, Widdal (Large 4), Bradford (Durnall 45), Perks, Salter, Morris, Bavington, Quick, Selmes, Richards, Packer.
