Wolves Women 0
Bradford City Women 3 (Campbell 37, Smith 55, Parnham 73)
Wolves Women fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bradford City Women in a tense affair at Hednesford Town.
With two points and one place separating the sides coming into the game, both were looking to pick up much-needed points.
Bradford had the brighter start, with several early chances. Their best opportunity came from a shot on the edge of the box, but it was easily caught by Foster in the Wolves goal.
Wolves pushed forward and won a free-kick in the 20th minute, but Laura McQuilkin’s shot was caught by the keeper.
Bradford were having more of the play, shooting just wide and hitting the crossbar before their pressure eventually paid off in the 37th minute. A corner was fumbled into the path of Campbell who poked it in to put the visitors ahead before the break.
Wolves started the second half strongly and had an early opportunity after a lofted ball from Mai Butler found Jade Cross. She ran into the box and took a shot at goal but it was stopped by the keeper.
Wolves continued to press, coming close from a corner, but it was Bradford who got a second in the 55th minute after a corner was cleared, only as far as Smith who hit a thunderous shot past Foster to make it 2-0.
Wolves pushed on and went close with a first-time volley from Jade Cross going wide and Leanne Robinson’s shot being caught by the keeper.
Manager Tim Dudding then rang the changes, bringing on Ruby Meeson and Esme Moran, but Bradford added a third in the 73rd minute. Foster pulled off a fantastic diving save, but she was unable to stop the rebound from Parnham who poked it in.
Wolves had chances to get a goal back in the last ten minutes with Bragan and Robinson both going close, but their efforts were in vain and Bradford ran out 3-0 winners.
Manager Tim Dudding said: “It was a heart-wrenching result today. We didn’t really give a good account of ourselves, but all we can do is re-group and re-evaluate. We’ll work hard and keep fighting and keep working.”
*Wolves Women are in action again this Thursday evening 30th November when they travel to Lye Town FC to take on Lye Town Ladies in the Birmingham County Cup with a 7.45pm kick-off.
WOLVES TEAM: Foster, Jones (Meeson), Haynes, Bavington, Widdal, Butler, Whetton (Bragan), Price (C), J.Cross, Robinson, McQuilkin (Moran). SUBS: Clarke, Taylor.
PICTURES COURTESY OF ALEX MEESON AND SIMON FAULKNER
