Wolves Women made it back-to-back victories with an impressive performance away to Leafield Athletic in the National League Division One Midlands.
Goals from Jamila Palmer, Shannie Jennings and Sophie Bramford did the damage in the first-half, before Lyndsey Glover added further gloss to the score line with her late strike.
Wolves made the best possible start striking in just the second minute. A perfect through ball from Glover was latched onto by Palmer who finished confidently at the near post.
However, the good work was soon undone when the home side levelled after a quarter of an hour, with Michelle McCormack pouncing on goalkeeper Maddie Elbro to equalise.
Having come against the run of play Wolves continued to press and regained the lead in the 27th minute. Shannie Jennings’ mazy run forward created an opportunity for Bramford, who opted to take the bouncing ball first time as she hooked a half volley into the far corner.
The provider would soon turn goal scorer, as Jennings was on hand to find the bottom corner from inside the penalty area after a superb team move down the right-hand side.
After the break Wolves performed professionally to consolidate their first half advantage but were limited in terms of chances created.
Bramford came close to scoring a brace, but her powerful drive was well pushed over the crossbar by Kirsty Grigg in the Leafield goal. Whilst defender Alex Buck was alert to an improved Leafield threat when they sought to probe in behind.
Second-half substitute Andrea Barnett came close to adding a fourth only to be denied by a last-gasp block, as it seemed Wolves would have to settle for three.
However, in the final minute Glover burst down the right and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner to round off a strong performance.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Finding the top corner is never easy, but with the ball bouncing up at chest height the challenge is far greater. However, Bramford completed the task effortlessly with her hooked strike putting Wolves back ahead.
QUOTES
Manager Dan McNamara was delighted with his sides professionalism.
He said: “I thought we were really professional today on a difficult pitch. We did the job in the first half. We were clinical in front of goal, yes there was a mistake but we moved on from it. We gathered our thoughts and in the second half we were really professional. We limited them to very little in our half I thought we were fantastic and deserved the three points.”
McNamara also praised his sides attitude following the defeat to TNS.
He explained: “The best teams always react from adversity and defeat. I think we’ve done that with six points in the bag and two great performances home and away. We’ve got two tough games with Bedworth and Doncaster, but with the girls pulling together like they are I am excited for the next few weeks.”
Jamila Palmer who scored the opening goal also spoke post-match.
“It was a good game and good to win, I enjoyed it. As a team we do not want to concede as many goals as last season and we want to win the league.”
COMING UP
Next up for Wolves is a return to familiar settings with a Sunday afternoon clash against Doncaster Rovers Belles. The following league game is also on home soil with Sporting Khalsa the visitors for a 19:45 kick off.
NEXT FIVE
29/09 | Doncaster Rovers Belles (H)
09/10 | Sporting Khalsa (H)
20/10 | Solihull Moors (A)
27/10 | Bedworth United (A)
10/11 | Long Eaton (H)
TEAMS
Leafield Athletic: Grigg, Finn (Atter 82), Liperis, Broadbent (Nicod 51), Farr, Briggs, Clements, Harris, McCormack (Bridges 82), Eustace, Rogers.
Subs: Kendall, Harris.
Wolves: Elbro, Buck, Cross, Widdal, Jones, S. Jennings, Glover, Bramford, Keitley (Barnett 65), Palmer (Walker 72), Anslow (Haines 84).
Subs: J. Jennings, Price.
By Thomas Smith
