Middlesbrough Women 7 Scarr 7, 55, 88, Havelock 12, Kelly 83, Owens 85, 86
Wolves Women 1 McQuilkin 29
After a host of cup games at the start of the year, Wolves Women returned to league action against table-toppers Middlesbrough Women, suffering their first defeat of 2018.
Wolves got off to a bright start and had the first chance of the game from a corner, but Anna Price's shot was blocked.
After chances at either end it was Middlesbrough who went ahead in the 7th minute. Keeper Katie Clarke made the initial save but the ball fell to Scarr who slotted home.
Middlesbrough doubled their lead in the 12th minute as a clearance fell to Havelock and her shot curled past Clarke.
Wolves were looking to get back into the game and came close as some lovely passing play found Jen Anslow who crossed the ball in to Andrea Whetton, but her shot was blocked.
Wolves were now finding their feet and managed to get on the score sheet in the 29th minute after Jade Cross' ball found Laura McQuilkin whose shot lobbed the keeper to make it 2-1.
Buoyed by their goal, Wolves continued to press, with Jade Cross, Kirstie Bavington and Laura McQuilkin all going close before the end of the first half.
Wolves had an early chance in the second half as an initial shot by Jade Cross was blocked and fell to Jade Hewitt, but her volley was caught by the keeper.
Then Middlesbrough made no mistake after nice passing play found Scarr in the box and she slotted home her second and Middlesbrough's third.
Wolves rang the changes, bringing on substitutes Billie Haynes, Charlotte Criddle and Courtney Jones, but they could not withstand the late pressure from Middlesbrough, who scored four quick goals in the last ten minutes, with Scarr completing her hat trick, Owens getting two and Kelly getting one as the game finished 7-1.
Captain Anna Price said: "It was a disappointing result against the league leaders, but we have to take the positives out of the game. The first half saw some of the best football we've played and it was individual errors which let us down. We go again against Derby in two weeks' time".
Wolves Women now have a week off before they entertain Derby County Ladies at Hednesford Town FC on Sunday 11th February. Admission is £2; Concessions and Wolves season ticket holders £1.
Wolves | Clarke, Butler, Anslow (Criddle), Price (C), E. Cross, Widdal, Whetton, Bavington, J. Cross, Hewitt (Haynes), McQuilkin (Jones)
PICTURE | Mark Birchill
