Huddersfield Town Ladies 2 (Whitham 26, Harris 90+2)
Wolves Women 0
After last week’s 6-0 defeat to second-placed Leicester City Women, Wolves were looking for a response against fourth-placed Huddersfield.
Wolves started the brighter of the two teams and had the ball in the net in the fourth minute, but it was ruled out for offside.
This spurred Wolves on, but they were unable to take their chances, with Tayler Davies’s corner in the 21st minute being cleared by the Huddersfield defence.
It was then Huddersfield’s turn to put on the pressure, which finally paid off in the 26th minute as Danielle Whitham’s long range shot beat Katie Clarke in the Wolves goal to make it 1-0 to the home side.
Huddersfield were looking for a second goal and had several chances, but were kept at bay by Clarke.
Wolves’ final chance before the break fell to Billie Haynes, but her shot hit the side netting and the visitors went into the break 1-0 down.
The start of the second half saw Wolves in the ascendency, with a shot from Haynes going just wide in the 52nd minute. But Huddersfield fought back and sent a header wide five minutes later.
Manager Dan McNamara brought on Charlotte Criddle in place of Haynes as Wolves kept pushing for the equaliser. They went close in the 68th minute as a shot from Tammi George was saved by the keeper.
Debutante Isobel Deery joined from the subs’ bench as Wolves pressed hard. Jade Cross and Charlotte Criddle both went close before they combined, resulting in Cross’s overhead kick going just wide of the post.
With Wolves pushing forward, they were caught out in the 92nd minute with a breakaway goal from Ella Harris, leaving Clarke with no chance and giving Huddersfield a 2-0 win.
Speaking after the game, Wolves Women Manger Dan McNamara said: “Due to half term and illness we went into this weekend’s fixture with five senior players missing, but from the performance you’d never have known. We included six Under 18s within the squad, with five of them starting the game, and they were excellent.
“We caused Huddersfield problems from the off, creating lots of chances but as in previous weeks they all fell the wrong side of the post. It took two long-range strikes to secure the points for Huddersfield but it really never told the story of the game.
“A massive well done to those youngsters, some making their Women’s Premier League debuts. They were terrific and have given the staff a real headache heading into next week’s fixture against Fylde.
“We must stay positive as I’m sure the tide is turning and we will get our rewards over the coming weeks.”
*Next Sunday (15th April) sees Wolves travel to Fylde Ladies. They then have a run of three home games in close succession, hosting Blackburn Rovers on Sunday, 22nd April at 2pm, Derby County on Thursday, 26th April at 7.45pm and Guiseley Vixens on Sunday 29th April at 2pm. All games will be played at Hednesford Town FC. Admission £2; Concessions £1.
WOLVES | Clarke, George, Whitehouse, E.Cross, Widdal, Butler (C), Whetton, Davies (Deery), J.Cross, Williams Haynes (Criddle)
PICTURE | Mark Birchill
