A brace from Lois Jeffries and a debut goal for Jamila Palmer was enough to overcome Lincoln’s positive start as Wolves began the season with a well-deserved victory.
The hosts got off to a tricky opening as Jeorgia Carr headed home from a corner inside five minutes, finding space at the back post and thumping her effort past the helpless Becky Thomas to get Wolves off to the worst possible start.
The response from the home side was one which would greatly please manager Dan McNamara however, Wolves settled well and began to find openings, Andrea Barnett came close on two occasions before Lois Jefferies eventually drew Wolves level.
Debutant Lyndsey Glover picked out Jefferies superbly and the latter fired home past Halloran to get the hosts a well-deserved equaliser.
Wolves continued their pressure as the first-half progressed and took the lead through a debut goal from Jamila Palmer, finishing well following a well-worked Wolves set piece.
McNamara’s side asserted their control of the game in the second half and boosted their advantage on the hour mark.
Another wicked delivery from Glover picked out the unmarked Jefferies at the back post who grabbed her second of the afternoon.
Wolves saw out the game well and could have added to their lead, however they were forced to settle for three as they started their season in positive fashion.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Wolves’ excellently constructed set-piece to give them the initial lead was the highlight of this match. Lowri Walker’s fine pass caught Lincoln’s backline off guard, but Palmer was well aware of her teammate’s cleverness. The latter finished well to get her first Wolves goal.
QUOTES
Manager Dan McNamara was upbeat with his side’s response after going behind early and remains positive for the season ahead.
He said: “I thought we were a little slow for ten minutes and Lincoln punished us.
“I thought the response was excellent, we worked our way into the game and the last 20 minutes of the first half was excellent.
“We took that form into the second half and I was I disappointed we didn’t score more to be fair.
“The five girls we gave debuts to I thought were all excellent today.
“Lyndsey Glover was outstanding, probably my man of the match. The two centre forwards scored which was great, that’s why we signed them.
“We’ll take each game as it comes this season and approach each match with the same attitude, we won’t get ahead of ourselves for sure.”
Debutant Jamila Palmer was delighted to get off the mark on her Wolves debut as she aims high for the upcoming season.
She added: “I’m happy to get my first goal. From an individual perspective, I want to reach double figures this season but as a team we want to try and win every game as we seek promotion.
“It’s a good start but we’ll take it game by game.”
COMING UP
Next up for Wolves Women is another home fixture, this time in the National League Cup as we face Sporting Khalsa, 14:00 kick off. We then return to league action the following week away to Burton Albion Ladies.
NEXT FIVE
25/08 Sporting Khalsa (H)
01/09 Burton Albion (A)
04/09 The New Saints (A)
08/09 Leicester United (H)
15/09 Leafield Athletic (A)
TEAMS
Wolves: Thomas, Buck, Price, E.Cross, Jones, Walker, Bramford, Barnett, Glover, Palmer, Jefferies.
Subs: Widdal, Morphet, J.Cross, Keitley, Anslow.
Lincoln: Hallorran, Brock-Taylor, Kay, Pedersen, Pettit, Thornley, Leslie, Atkinson, Murrell, Carr, Blinkhorn.
Subs: Marsh, Wilson, Johnson, Taylor.
Report by George Coombes
