Wolves picked up where they left off in the opening game of the Women’s National League Division 1 Midlands with an impressive six-goal victory away at Leafield Athletic.
Wolves took the lead with just twelve minutes on the clock – a quick reaction from Tammi George resulted in a one on one with the keeper before the midfielder chipped the ball into the back of the net.
Just ten minutes later, new signing Anna Renken doubled the lead after successfully after getting on the receiving end of a cross, before volleying the ball into goal.
Anna Morphet was next to fire home with a free-kick which translated into a wonder goal. The tremendous effort from 40 yards out fired into the top left corner, out of the keeper’s reach.
The threatening play continued as Lowri Walker smelt blood and added herself to the scoresheet, as her thunderous volley from the centre of the box was smashed home, with the keeper unable to get a hand to it.
McNamara’s side continued to dominate the second-half, despite a dry period in the game.
The penultimate goal came in the 83rd minute, when a fumble for the ball meant Walker was able to follow up from the goalkeeper’s mistake, bagging her second of the game.
Jamila Palmer sealed the victory for Wolves in injury time with the sixth and final goal of the game. The midfielder took advantage of the keeper’s mistake before slipping the ball into the corner of the net.
The successful start to the season puts Wolves in second place in the table level on points with their next opponents Solihull Ladies.
REACTION
With it being the first game of the season, Dan McNamara was delighted to get back playing competitive football.
The gaffer said: “There is nothing like competitive football. This is a really competitive league and we don't know what will happen.
“We will take one game at a time and see where it takes us. We must stay grounded.”
Wolves scored four goals in the first-half, two in the second. McNamara admitted the intensity dropped off in the latter half.
“Opening 20 minutes, we took time to get going. We then played really well after this. The new signings made an impact too. Tammi George played well.
“The second-half was poor, we dropped to their level and struggled to gain momentum. Credit to them because we failed to retain the ball at times.”
Wolves face Solihull in their first home game of the season next Sunday. The boss insisted it will be a “tough test”.
“They have done well over the summer, took some players from us. Every game is a different challenge. We will work hard in training next week and the girls will be ready for next Sunday.”
COMING UP
The team will return to their home of Castlecroft’s CKW Stadium, for the first time this season, next Sunday 27th September as they take on Solihull Ladies, 2pm kick-off.
NEXT FIVE
27/09 | Solihull (H)
30/09 | Sporting Khalsa (A)
4/10 | Burton Albion Ladies (H)
11/10| Wem Town (A)
25/10| Lincoln City (A)
TEAMS
Wolves | Thomas, Darby, E.Cross, Morphet ©, Price, George, Wilson, Walker, Glover (Rogers 70), Renken (Evans 57), Palmer.
Unused subs | Edwards, J.Cross, Widdal.
Leafield Athletic | Finely, Atter, Hadley, Broadbent, Harris, Briggs, Clements, Bridges, Harborne (Di Natale 70), Carmichael (Booth 25), Harris (Duthie 67).
Unused subs | Whiteman, Daniels.
Report by Katy Wordley-Smith
