A six-minute hat-trick from Jade Cross helped Wolves to continue their 100 per cent start to the season, convincingly beating Burton Albion 9-0 in the Women’s National League Division 1 Midlands.
An additional brace from debutant Lauren Riley as well as goals from Tammi George, Lowri Walker and Alisha Miller ensured the hosts got an emphatic victory to please the returning home fans, as Wolves cemented their place at the top of the table.
Wolves almost got off to a dream start when Miller nearly turned in a cross from George after five minutes.
Miller then went close again ten minutes later as she found a pocket of space to run into, only to see her shot well saved by the keeper.
The resulting corner proved to be the opener however, with George converting a close-ranged header into the net.
Wolves’ confidence increased drastically after the first goal and it wasn’t long before a second came along. Jade Cross was given the time to calmly place the ball past the keeper to double the hosts lead.
A wicked ball played over to Jade Cross would ensure she would get her second only minutes later as she was given the time to smash the ball past the keeper.
A fourth goal was quickly added with a long ball from the back seemingly bamboozling the Burton back line which allowed Jade Cross one-on-one once again who made no mistake to complete an outstanding six-minute hat-trick.
Wolves got their fifth goal just before half-time with Jade Cross getting on the end of another long ball to put Wolves well in control going into the break.
The second-half started as the first ended and it didn’t take long before Wolves scored again. Jade Cross had her initial first two shots saved but the Alice Langston could not prevent Lowri Walker’s shot from hitting the net on the rebound.
Miller finally got the goal she deserved four minutes later, beautifully taking the ball up and over the keeper allowing her to easily tap the ball into the net.
16-year-old Lauren Riley, making her debut for the senior side, added an eighth midway through the second half, pouncing on the ball after a Burton defender miskicked it onto the post.
Brilliant play from Jade Cross allowed Wolves to score their ninth and final goal of the game. The striker gracefully cut inside the Burton defence and delivered a perfect ball to Riley who lasered it into the bottom corner for her second on the day.
REACTION
Wolves manager, Dan McNamara, was pleased with the result however, felt there is still room for his side to improve further. He said: “I thought we were good in parts, disappointing in other parts, it’s always going to be difficult when teams turn up here and play with 11 people on the edge of their own box.
“It’s a really difficult thing to try to break down, it doesn’t matter what standard it is. I’m really pleased, that’s what I’ve just said to the girls and that’s what we are going to come across a lot throughout the season and we’ve just got to find ways of breaking it down.
“I’m pleased with the nine goals, pleased with the clean sheet. Could we have been better? Absolutely, but we will take it and move on.”
COMING UP
Wolves face a trip to Shropshire next to take on opponents Wem Town in another league tie. The game is due to take place on Sunday 11th October, with a 2pm kick-off.
NEXT FIVE
11/10 | Wem Town (A)
25/10 | Lincoln City (A)
8/11 | Long Eaton (H)
22/11 | Boldmere SMW (A)
29/11 | Doncaster Rovers Belles (A)
TEAMS
Wolves: Thomas, Morphet, Darby, E. Cross (Widdal 59), Edwards, Evans, George, Walker (Riley 57), Rogers, Miller (Wilson 76), J. Cross
Unused subs: Price, Glover
Burton Albion: Langston, Roberts- Drew, Farthing, Maitland, Ablott, Azhair, Bennett (Mahmood 38), Doocey, Soor, Purcell, Oxley.
Report by Jack Dawson
