Loughborough Foxes 1 (Pilling 51)
Wolves Women 2 (J. Cross 19, Quick 21)
Goals from Jade Cross and Amber Quick ended Loughborough Foxes’ unbeaten league run with a 2-1 victory, putting Wolves Women joint top of the table, and making them the only side to beat the Foxes this season – in both league and cup.
Wolves started the game strongly and created a chance within the 1st minute from a free kick by Jen Anslow on the edge of the box, but the ball went just over the bar.
Anslow had another free kick in the ninth minute, but her shot was straight at the keeper.
Loughborough, trying to get back into the game, thought they had scored in the 13th minute after a shot from the edge of the box went in, only to be denied by the referee who pulled it back for a handball.
Loughborough had another chance two minutes later but the shot was straight at Hattie James in the Wolves goal.
Wolves broke the deadlock in the 19th minute after Quick cut inside and into the box from wide to set up Jade Cross, who slotted past the keeper.
Just two minutes later Wolves doubled their lead with a fine solo effort from Quick, who ran into the box and finished to the left of the keeper.
Wolves came close again in the 23rd minute, but Perks’ header was over the bar from a corner.
Loughborough created a chance of their own in the 32nd minute, but their free-kick was also over the bar.
Loughborough had their best chance to get into the game only four minutes later after a shot from outside the area hit the crossbar and ricochet off James’ head in the Wolves goal, but nothing more came of the resulting attack and the first half finished with the visitors two goals to the good.
The second half saw Loughborough come out fighting, piling on the pressure. It paid off in the 51st minute as Emma Pilling ran to the edge of the box and took a shot, which was too powerful for James, pulling a vital goal back for the home side.
Loughborough were then looking for an equaliser and created a host of chances, determined to try and hang on to their undefeated record, but Wolves’ dogged defence denied them, with James making a couple of excellent saves, and the game finished 2-1 to the visitors.
Head Coach Tim Dudding said: “It was another wholehearted performance from Wolves Women today; 100% from minute one to 90, and another three points.
“It’s about the willingness to do the unattractive work that makes the players a cut above the rest.”
* It’s Black Country Derby Day next Sunday when Wolves take on local rivals West Bromwich Albion Women in the FA Women's Premier League Cup. The game will be played at Rushall Olympic FC with a 2pm kick-off. Wolves will then take on Sporting Khalsa in the Women's FA Cup on November 13th.
Team: James, E. Cross, Anslow, Luke, Perks, Brackenbury, Whetton (Davis), Widdal, J.Cross, Quick, Davis (Hewitt).
