Wolves Women 4 (J. Cross 9, og 15, Perks 50, James 76)
Steel City Wanderers 0
Wolves Women continued their winning run in their first home league game of 2017 with a 4-0 victory against Steel City Wanderers at Hednesford Town, which moves them into second place in the table.
Wolves got off to a flying start with a chance in the first minute after Jade Cross’s ball found new signing Jodie Bragan, but her header went over the bar.
Anslow came close just two minutes later, but her shot from twenty yards out was straight at the keeper.
Wolves’ early pressure paid off in the ninth minute as Jade Cross got on the end of a fantastic through ball from Anslow, beat the defender, and slipped it past the oncoming keeper to put the home side ahead.
Wolves doubled their lead just six minutes later as Cross’s whipped-in ball was unavoidably put into the back of the net by the Steel City defender.
Wolves always looked threatening, and had a great chance in the 20th minute after a corner from McQuilkin found Brackenbury, but her header was cleared off the line.
The chances were coming thick and fast, with Bragan and McQuilkin both coming close, but the first half ended 2-0 to Wolves.
After the break Wolves started as they had left off, and added a third goal five minutes into the half. A corner was prodded home by Anna Perks after a scramble in the box to bring her first goal since returning from injury.
Steel City Wanderers started to press, and had a chance in the 58th minute, but a fantastic save from Sophie Glenny tipped the ball away to deny them a goal.
Wolves’ defence found themselves under pressure after a poor kick out from Glenny, but staunch defending from Hakeman denied them their opportunity to capitalise.
Wolves finished off the game in the 76th minute after substitute Hattie James converted a shot from just outside the box to make it 4-0.
Steel City didn’t give up right to the end, but Wolves managed to keep them at bay and held out for a clean sheet and a victory.
Manager Tim Dudding said: "I thought it was another clinical performance from the ladies today – true class and professionalism to get the three points.
“We had a gameplan and executed it efficiently, with three different goalscorers and a clean sheet.
“We take each game at a time and with the healthy, hungry players we have available, we are consistently focussed on three points.
“I’m really pleased with how our new players have performed today.
“Jodie Bragan is a great player who’s played for me before at West Brom and she stood out today with what she did on the pitch.
“She'll find her feet, and will get goals – she is a great player and a great addition to the squad.
“Toran Kelly equally so; great quality and I thought when she came on she did really well.
“Both players performed well and their qualities will further strengthen our squad".
* Next Sunday 12th February sees Wolves travel to Long Eaton United before their Birmingham County Cup Quarter Final game away at Bedworth United on 19th February.
WOLVES: Glenny, Hakeman (Whetton), Brackenbury, Widdal, Anslow, Bragan, E. Cross, Perks, Quick, McQuilkin (James), J. Cross (Kelly). SUBS: Hewitt, Webb, Richards.
PICTURED: New signings Jodie Bragan and Toran Kelly are pictured with team manager Tim Dudding.
