Wolves Women 5 (J. Cross 42, 65, Victoria Brackenbury 60, Andrea Whetton 71, Amber Quick)
Leicester City Ladies 0
There were celebrations all round as Wolves Women bounced back empathically from last week’s 3-0 defeat with a dominating 5-0 victory over Leicester City Ladies, and twin team mates Jade and Emma Cross, pictured, enjoyed their 21st birthday.
Wolves started well, pressing right from the start, with their first shot from Emma Cross in the seventh minute just going wide.
An Amber Quick effort from a corner was cleared, only for the ball to land at the feet of Jade Cross, whose shot was deflected wide.
Wolves kept up the pressure throughout the first half but were unable to get on the score sheet until the 42nd minute after a shot by Dominique Luke was well saved by the keeper. Quick collected the rebound, but as she turned in the box she was tripped by the defender, and Wolves were awarded a penalty which Jade Cross duly converted to put the home side ahead at the break.
Leicester came out fighting at the start of the second half and their first attempt went just wide. Ten minutes later Wolves’ keeper Lucy Gardner was forced to make her first save of the game, as Colangelo shot from the edge of the box.
Wolves responded just minutes later after a scuffed shot from Andrea Whetton reached Victoria Brackenbury, who took the chance from two yards out to make it 2-0.
Wolves were now on a roll, and added another just five minutes later after the ball was played through to Jade Cross, who ran into the box and beat the keeper for her second of the game and Wolves’ third.
Wolves added a fourth in the 71st minute after substitute Jade Hewitt played the ball into Whetton whose shot from the edge of the box couldn’t be held by the keeper and slipped through into the net.
The day then went from bad to worse for Leicester as in the 79th minute a serious injury forced off Keeleigh Hucthings, leaving them to see out the game with only 10 players as all their subs had been used.
Wolves’ fifth goal came in added time after the ball was played through by Jade Cross to Quick, whose first shot was initially saved by the keeper before converting the rebound to seal an impressive 5-0 victory.
Manager Steve Cullis said: "It was really important to bounce back today.
“Everyone at the game last week knew we underperformed; the standard just wasn't good enough, but today as a team our focus was that we had to improve on what we did last week and obviously we did that tenfold today.
"We had faith in the team, we've been there and done it many times last season, so I've got more than enough faith in this team to produce when it really matters.
"The pleasing thing was we created a lot more chances than last week, so for me it was just a matter of time, of getting our quality players on the ball in the right areas and punishing their mistakes."
Cullis also praised birthday girl Jade Cross. He added: "Jade did brilliantly today.
“She’s been a bit short on confidence lately but credit to her, today she stepped up.
“She dispatched the penalty expertly, she runs the line really well, and she's so effective with the team.
“Whether that be as a goalscorer or with her creative energy, she provides a massive boost for the team.”
* Wolves have two more home games in quick succession as they play host to Solihull Ladies on Sunday 2nd October with a 2pm kick-off, and Birmingham & West Midlands Ladies under floodlights on Wednesday 5th October at 7.45pm. Both games will be played at Hednesford Town FC. Admission is £2; concessions £1.
Team: Gardner, Hakeman (Lock), E.Cross (Anslow), Perks, Brackenbury, Whetton, Holden (Hewitt), Luke, J.Cross, Quick, Davis. Sub: Widdal
