West Bromwich Albion Women 1 (AET) (Dugmore 98)
Wolves Women 0
Wolves were knocked out of the FA Women's Premier League Cup after a penalty in extra time from Leigh Dugmore sealed the Black Country derby for Albion at their Rushall Olympic ground.
Wolves started slowly and Albion created the first chance of the game in the 7th minute as a miss-hit shot was straight at Sophie Glenny, making her debut in the Wolves goal.
Albion were close again just a minute later as Darby unleashed a free kick on the edge of the box, which went just wide.
Wolves’ first chance came in the 15th minute as Anna Perks’s shot went over the bar. Then it was Albion’s chance, Dugmore’s header coming back off the woodwork before she sent a long range effort straight at Glenny.
In the 32nd minute former Wolves player Louise Fellows’ shot was deflected off her team-mate Dugmore to go wide.
Albion continued to press with Warner and Stamps both coming close, but the half finished goalless.
Half Time: West Bromwich Albion Women 0 Wolves Women 0
Albion started the second half where they left off, and in the 46th minute a header by Dugmore was parried onto the post by Glenny.
Wolves then had a great chance in the 50th minute after Jade Cross ran into the box, but slipped as she was preparing to take the shot, sending the ball wide.
Albion came close just three minutes later as Dugmore tried to poke the ball home from close range, but it was cleared off the line by Claire Hakeman.
Albion had another chance in the 58th minute as Darby headed wide from a free kick.
Ten minutes later Wolves’ Jade Cross took a shot from the edge of the box, but it was well-held by the keeper.
In the 74th minute a corner from Jen Anslow found Vicky Brackenbury, but her header went wide.
Albion pushed hard, with a barrage of chances as the game approached the 90th minute mark, but Wolves defended valiantly, forcing the game into extra time.
Full Time: West Bromwich Albion Women 0 Wolves Women 0
Albion had the first chance of extra time in the 92nd minute after a cross by Amy Dicken went just wide of the post.
The breakthrough came in the 98th minute as Albion were awarded a penalty after Stewart’s shot hit a Wolves’ hand. Dugmore made no mistake from the spot, putting the hosts ahead.
Wolves pushed hard to get back into the game, with Anslow, Jade Cross and Dominique Luke all coming close, but Thomas defended her goal well.
With the visitors piling on the pressure, substitute Nikki Lal, also making her senior debut for Wolves, made a great run into the box to meet a cross, but her header went over the bar.
Despite Wolves’ best efforts, they could not find the equaliser, and Albion took the spoils in the Black Country derby, moving into the next round of the League Cup.
Manager Tim Dudding said: "We can't take away from our players and the effort they've put in today - I thought they were absolutely phenomenal.
“To lose one-nil in added time as the result of a harsh penalty decision is very hard on the team who performed extremely well.
Dudding also praised goalkeeper Sophie Glenny, pictured, who was making her debut:
"Sophie has a good background in girls’ and women's football and she proved her quality today, saving what could have been several goals,” he added.
“And twins Jade and Emma Cross have been fantastic.
“Emma has just won our Player of the Month Award, and deservedly so.
“I've played her at centre back, played her at right wing, and tried to use her versatility.
“Meanwhile Jade is a goalscorer and gets us the results, so both players are crucial to our squad.”
* Next Sunday 13th November sees Wolves turn their attention to the FA Cup Fourth Round Qualifying when they travel to Willenhall Town FC to take on Sporting Khalsa with a 2pm kick-off.
Team: Glenny, Hakeman, Widdal, Brackenbury, Anslow, Perks, Luke, Quick (McQuilkin) E Cross, J Cross, Whetton (Lal).
