Birmingham & West Midlands Ladies 1 (Painter 71)
Wolves Women 3 (Brackenbury 20, Natalie Widdal 48, Amber Quick 90+5)
Wolves Women made it two wins out of two in the league with a 3-1 victory over Birmingham and West Midlands Ladies under floodlights at Vale Stadium on Wednesday night.
Wolves were quick off the mark with a succession of chances, the best one coming in the ninth minute when Amber Quick headed over the bar from a corner.
The game then slowed down in pace, but Wolves drew first blood in the 20th minute, as Laura McQuilkin’s corner was fumbled by the keeper and Vicky Brackenbury took advantage to put the visitors ahead.
Wolves were looking for a second and had a great chance just four minutes later as Jen Anslow’s pinpoint pass was narrowly volleyed over the bar by Jade Cross.
Wolves came close again in the 38th minute when a one-two between Cross and Quick ended with Quick’s shot being saved by the keeper.
Steve Cullis’s side’s failure to convert their early chances meant they finished the first half 1-0 up.
Wolves started the second half as they’d left off, and their persistence paid off in the 48th minute from a McQuilkin corner. There was a goalmouth scramble as the ball came in and Natalie Widdal’s header was adjudged to have crossed the line to give Wolves their second goal of the game.
Birmingham & West Midlands rallied, trying to get back into it, but were unable to create any concrete chances and get past the Wolves defence.
Wolves were looking to kill the game off, with Anslow and Jade Cross both spurning chances, but it was the hosts who capitalised as Wolves failed to defend a corner in the 71st minute and Emily Painter’s header got Birmingham & West Midlands on the scoresheet.
The game started getting feisty with Birmingham & West Midlands searching for an equaliser, but Wolves were steadfast in their resolve and were rewarded in the fifth minute of stoppage time after another good link up between Jade Cross and Quick saw the latter shoot home to make it 3-1 and seal the game for Wolves.
Manager Cullis said: "Overall I was pleased with the result, but disappointed that we didn't put the game to bed early on.
“We had several good chances and regretted not taking them when we had to battle to maintain our lead once they'd scored.
"We showed good character and resolve though, and were well disciplined and got the final goal out of pure desire.
"I have to praise Jade Cross. Although she didn't score herself, her contribution off the ball was fantastic. And Sophie Richards was outstanding in midfield.
"Overall I'm pleased with the performance which gives us lots of confidence going into the next game."
