Wolves Women 11 (Johnson 5, Barnett 12, Hogan 14, George 23, 37 & 39, Anslow 33, Wilkie 40, Cross 48 & 61, Haynes 50)
Steel City Wanderers 0
Report by Callum Doughty, photograph by Simon Faulkner.
A hat-trick from Tammi George, a brace from Jade Cross and goals from Katie Johnson, Andrea Barnett, Hollie Hogan, Jen Anslow, Charlotte Wilkie and Billie Haynes helped Wolves to the emphatic victory over a depleted Steel City side.
It took Wolves just five minutes to take the lead and for debutant Katie Johnson open her goalscoring account. The ball bounced up and she looped a half-volley over the Steel City goalkeeper from around 25 yards out.
The early onslaught continued, and the hosts soon found themselves 3-0 up in a matter of minutes. A mix-up between the Steel City defenders and goalkeeper presented the ball to Barnett who made no mistake in firing home from yards out. Hogan then got Wolves’ third, rising highest to head home Anslow’s corner.
George soon got in on the goalscoring act, she ran onto Johnson’s ball over the top to smash a half-volley off the crossbar and in. There was no let-up from Wolves, despite the comfortable score-line, and Anslow looped a shot over the goalkeeper from outside the area to put Wolves 5-0 up.
George completed her hat-trick with two goals in as many minutes, putting Wolves in seventh heaven. Just before the half-time whistle, Wilkie got Wolves’ eighth, hitting a powerful strike into the top corner from around 30 yards out.
The second half was just three minutes old when Wolves made it 9-0, this time Cross tapped a square ball into an empty net to get her first of the game. She then teed up substitute Haynes in similar fashion and Haynes made it ten.
Barnett capitalised on a mistake by Johnson in the Steel City goal, stealing the ball before laying it off for Cross to score and grab her second and Wolves’ 11th; rounding off the scoring.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Scoring on a debut is special for any player, but to do so after just five minutes with a goal as good Katie Johnson’s will take some beating. A 25-yard sweetly struck half-volley had everyone on their feet. What a moment for her personally and for everyone involved with the club’s Regional Talent Centre.
QUOTES
Wolves boss Dan McNamara felt his side could have done better despite the emphatic victory. He said: “It was a difficult one really. We created upwards of 60 chances, so our goal return isn’t good enough, we just weren’t clinical, and I think that’s the story of the season.
“It’s cost us time and time again, so it’s something we’re going to have to work on in the summer.”
COMING UP
Next up for Wolves Women is a home fixture against Bedworth United on Sunday 14th April. The game will be played at CKW Stadium, Castlecroft, with a 2pm kick-off. Admission is £2, while concessions and Wolves season ticket holders can get in for just £1.
NEXT FOUR
- 14/04 – Bedworth United Ladies (H)
- 28/04 – Nettleham FC Ladies (A)
- 05/05 – West Bromwich Albion Women (H)
TEAMS
Wolves | Elbro, Barnett, E Cross (Butler), Price, Anslow (Criddle), Wilkie, Johnson, George, Williams, Hogan (Haynes), J Cross.
Subs | Dickinson, Jones
