Wolves Women 2 (Price 21, Anslow 88)
Derby County Ladies 1 (Bell 58)
Goals from captain Anna Price and an 88th minute winner from Jen Anslow gave Wolves their second win in succession and brought their unbeaten run to a total of five games.
Wolves started well and had their first chance of the game in the fifth minute as a shot from Jade Cross hit the bar. At the other end Clarke made a good save in the Wolves goal.
Wolves won a corner in the 20th minute, which was half cleared to Jen Anslow. Her cross found the head of Anna Price who thundered the ball into the back of the net to put the home side ahead.
Wolves put on the pressure following the goal, but didn't have any clear cut chances, and it was Derby County who could have equalised as the ball ricocheted in the area, but resulted in a goal kick for Wolves.
In the melee Mai Butler was injured and the teams took advantage of a much-needed drinks break during her treatment.
Wolves were awarded a corner following a good run from Jade Cross, but the corner was well defended by Derby.
Wolves pressed before the break as a ball in from Jade Cross fell awkwardly for Billie Haynes and her shot was cleared for a Wolves throw. Then a cross from Anslow was claimed easily by the Derby keeper.
The final chance of the half fell to Derby as a scramble in the Wolves' box was cleared well and Wolves went in 1-0 ahead at the break.
The second half began with Derby being awarded a penalty in the 48th minute, but Andi Bell sent the ball wide of the goal. Then it was Wolves' turn to pressurise as they hit the post.
The game was end to end, and Price headed away a Derby corner before the visitors finally equalised in the 58th minute as Bell made amends for her penalty miss, heading home from a Kirsty Allen ball in to make it 1-1.
Derby were pressurising with Clarke pushing the ball out for a corner, but it was cleared by Butler.
Manager Dan McNamara rang the changes, bringing on Natalie Widdal for Courtney Jones, Charlotte Criddle for Billie Haynes and Rachael Howard for Andrea Whetton.
Criddle had an immediate effect, sending a through ball to Jade Cross. Her shot shaved the post and went just wide.
A free-kick to Wolves taken by Anslow resulted in a goal kick to Derby. Then it was Anslow on the attack, making a weaving run towards goal and slotting home the winner in the 88th minute to give Wolves the all-important win.
Manager Dan McNamara said: “What a performance again; I’m so proud of each and everyone of them.
"To win it that late again with another moment of such quality tells you all you need to know about this group of players. They don’t stop, they’ve shown heart, desire and a real togetherness today.
"They deserve it, we all deserve that today, everyone involved with Wolves Women. That’s three out of four cup finals complete. One final push to achieve the impossible.”
With no game next Sunday, Wolves now have a nervous wait until their final game of the season away at Nottingham Forest Ladies on Sunday 20th May.
WOLVES | Clarke, Anslow, E. Cross, Price, Butler, Whetton (Howard), Williams, J.Cross, Jones (Widdal) George, Haynes (Criddle).
SUBS NOT USED | Davies, Meeson
PICTURE | Simon Faulkner
