Wolves Women 3 (Butler 42, J. Cross 53, Quick 71)
Radcliffe Olympic Ladies 2 (Evans 22, Jones 90)
Wolves Women bounced back from last week’s disappointing draw with a 3-2 victory over Radcliffe Olympic at a sunny Hednesford Town.
Wolves’ first chance came in the 5th minute with a corner from Jen Anslow which hit the crossbar and the ball was scrambled away.
Six minutes later Anslow fired in a cross from the left, but Andrea Whetton’s shot was deflected over the bar.
It was Radcliffe who made the breakthrough though in the 22nd minute as keeper Sophie Glenny struggled to hold on to a long range effort from Beth Bailey, and Ashleigh Evans capitalised to put the visitors ahead.
Wolves continued to press and almost had a goal gifted to them in the 25th minute after a sliced back pass by Radcliffe hit the bar, but they managed to get it away to preserve their lead.
In the 33rd minute a free-kick from Anslow was deflected off the wall and the keeper caught it at the second attempt.
Finally in the 42nd minute the pressure paid off for Wolves as Anslow’s free-kick found Mai Butler, pictured, who headed in from six yards to score her debut goal for the club, making it 1-1.
Wolves could have gone in front just before the break as Dom Luke unleashed a trademark missile from 25 yards which went just wide, and the half finished in stalemate.
Wolves started the second half as they ended the first, on the front foot, and in the 53rd minute their persistence paid off as the Cross twins combined. Emma’s through ball to Jade found her one-on-one with the keeper and there was no mistake from the club’s top scorer to put Wolves ahead.
Radcliffe never gave up, and almost equalised in the 59th minute with an inswinging corner, but keeper Glenny pushed the ball away under pressure.
Wolves then went straight down the other end, and Laura McQuilkin saw her shot go just over the bar.
The continuous pressure from Wolves eventually paid off in the 71st minute when Amber Quick timed her run to perfection, and her looping header beat the keeper to make it 3-1.
Manager Tim Dudding then rang the changes, with Sam Berry replacing the tireless Laura McQuilkin and Whetton making way for Jodie Bragan.
Wolves were piling on the pressure, with shots from Emma Cross, Jade Cross and Natalie Widdal all testing the keeper.
Radcliffe managed a consolation goal with the last kick of the game after a cross found Brogan Jones who slotted it into the net to make the final score 3-2 to Wolves.
Wolves manager Tim Dudding said: "It was an important win today and a fine example of resilience, character and determination.
“We battled through difficult periods of the game and were clinical when it mattered to take the three points.
“We look to carry this momentum forward into our remaining fixtures in an attempt to play in a way that justifies our abilities.”
* Wolves Women are at home again next Sunday when they entertain Long Eaton United at Hednesford Town FC. Admission is £2; Concessions £1.
Wolves Team: Glenny, Hakeman (Meeson), Anslow, Luke, Butler, Widdal, Whetton (Bragan), Quick, J. Cross, McQuilkin (Berry), E. Cross. Subs: Moran, Richards.
