Sporting Khalsa Women 0
Wolves Women 2 (Whetton 7, J. Cross 89)
Goals from Andrea Whetton, pictured, and Jade Cross sealed victory for Wolves Women in a local derby against Sporting Khalsa Women at the Aspray Arena.
Wolves’ first chance came in just the second minute of the game as Laura McQuilkin’s corner found Vicky Brackenbury, but her diving header went wide.
Wolves did get on the scoresheet just five minutes later as Whetton fired home the rebound from a blocked Jade Cross shot to make it 1-0 to Wolves.
In the 12th minute Jen Anslow’s free kick from 25 yards out went just wide. Then it was Jade Cross’s turn as she broke away down the left, but her shot missed the post from an acute angle.
Wolves continued to press, with McQuilkin shooting over the bar from close range. Khalsa then started to put up a fight, with a midfield battle ensuing, but Wolves stood firm and went into the break a goal up.
In the 53rd minute it was Jade Cross on the ball again, this time down the left, fizzing an inviting cross in, but it was just too far ahead of McQuilkin.
Wolves had a lucky escape in the 55th minute after Khalsa had the ball in the back of the net after a shot rebounded off the crossbar, but the goal was ruled offside.
Wolves then came close, this time with Dom Luke as she powered into the box, but her shot was saved low down by the keeper.
In the 77th minute Wolves caught Khalsa on the break from a corner. Hattie James laid the ball back for Jen Anslow, whose shot was just wide from the edge of the area.
Khalsa were pushing on, trying to find an equaliser, but leaving themselves a little exposed at the back. Wolves came close to taking advantage in the 86th minute after great work from Claire Hakeman, who
found herself in the penalty area, and teed up James, but her shot was saved again by the keeper.
Wolves’ pressure finally paid off in the 89th minute with some great wing play by substitute Nikki Lal. She teed up Anslow, whose shot was parried by the keeper, and Jade Cross came running in to convert
the rebound and seal the victory for Wolves.
Manager Tim Dudding said: "Today’s result shows our character. We started well with an early goal, we managed the game in-between and we ended with a goal.
“We could have helped ourselves massively by getting a couple in the middle of the game and that wasn't beyond us, but we went and did our job, we got the three points, we've got another clean sheet and
two goals in the bag.
“2016 for Wolves Women was summed up in 90 minutes today: a mixture of graft, talent, fight and togetherness, which brought about a valuable away win. Let’s continue onward and upward in 2017!”
Wolves go into the Christmas break in second place in the table, with two games in hand on leaders Loughborough Foxes, and six points behind. They start 2017 in FA Cup action as they travel to Nottingham
Forest in the Second Round Proper on Sunday 8th January.
TEAM: Glenny, Hakeman (Meeson), Brackenbury, E. Cross, Anslow, Luke, James (Johnson), McQuilkin (Lal), Quick, Whetton, J Cross. SUBS: Richards, Hewitt, Webb.
