23rd October 2017
By Callum Doughty
Wolves Women 1 (Haynes 40)
Long Eaton United Ladies 2 (Adam 35, Barber 92) (A.E.T)
An early extra-time goal saw Wolves Women fall to a 2-1 defeat against Long Eaton United Ladies in the FA Women’s Premier League Plate.
Wolves made five changes from the side that beat West Bromwich Albion Women in midweek and included some U18s as they played host to the first division side.
The home team began the game on the front foot and almost put themselves ahead early on, Billie Haynes’cross was headed goalward by Andrea Whetton but it was straight at the Long Eaton goalkeeper.
Wolves’ early pressure failed to materialise into anything and it was the away side that took the lead. A misplaced back-pass was intercepted by Long Eaton’s Viki Adam and she was able to squeeze in from a tight angle, this coming after they had struck the bar with a shot from distance.
The hosts were soon back level, however. Charlotte Criddle twisted and turned and laid the ball off for Haynes, pictured, who was able to beat the goalkeeper with a low shot into the bottom corner.
The introduction of Esme Moran and Anna Price in the second half almost turned the game in Wolves’ favour, with the former coming close on three separate occasions.
Moran’s shot from close range cannoned off the crossbar and she then had a shot cleared off the line after a goalmouth scramble. Both chances came after she had a shot from distance saved by the Long Eaton goalkeeper.
Barely two minutes into extra-time, the away side retook the lead. Jade Barber’s ambitious first-time volleylooped over Issy Foster in the Wolves goal to put Long Eaton in front.
Long Eaton had the chance to further their lead in the second-half of extra-time but were denied by an incredible save by Foster.
Wolves piled the pressure on the away side late on. Emma Cross and Aimee Taylor had the pick of the chances but they were unable to find an equaliser.
Assistant manager Tom Davies said: ‘’We’re disappointed with the result, I’d like to apologise to any fans that came to watch us today, it’s not a result they deserve.
‘’I thought Long Eaton were value for their victory today. We started off the first-half very poorly, we were better in the second half. We were unfortunate, we had some good chances to go in front, but we couldn’t take them.’’
Wolves will be hoping to get back on track next Sunday as they return to league action against Huddersfield Town Ladies. The fixture is to be played at The StafflexArena and is a 2pm kick-off. They then return home to Keys Park on the 5th November, hosting Leicester City Women, that game is also a 2pm kick-off.
Admission is £2 for adults, £1 for concessions and Wolves season ticket holders.
TEAM: Foster, Bate, Anslow, E.Cross, Widdal, Butler (C), George, Bavington, Criddle (Moran), Haynes(Taylor), Whetton (Price).
PICTURE COURTESY SIMON FAULKNER
