Wolves Women advanced to the next round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup after a 3-0 win behind closed doors to Stourbridge Ladies on Sunday.
The game was deadlocked at Compton Park before Anna Morphet converted a corner kick directly into a goal in the 38th minute. The defender impressed with a curled ball in, missing the heads of the Stourbridge defenders, to put the home team in front.
Dan McNamara’s side enjoyed more possession than their visitors going into the second-half, with Wolves’ lead being doubled in the 71st minute when Jade Cross placed a sneaky ball beyond the visiting keeper.
Link up play between Orla Conlan and Cross allowed the striker to trick the goalkeeper before slotting a low ball into the bottom corner of goal.
A clinical attack saw the home side put the game to bed in the 85th minute. Defender Kelly Darby was able to fight through an abundance of the opposition defenders before firing home from close range.
The positive return to playing after a month away secured Wolves’ passage into the second round of the Vitality Women’s FA cup.
REACTION
Wolves manager, Dan McNamara, was delighted with the victory despite the weather conditions, saying: “It was difficult. The circumstances were difficult and the weather were difficult. I’m just really proud of the players in what was ultimately a really professional performance.
“We knew it was about just getting names in the hat. Stourbridge are a difficult team to play against but as long as we’re in the hat for the next round then I’m delighted.
“It was a difficult game to play the way that we do, but credit to Stourbridge.”
On returning to football after an enforced break due to the November lockdown, McNamara added: “It’s difficult with the time away.
“We had a great friendly last week and the girls have been working on their own individual training plans during lockdown, so they look good and fresh.”
COMING UP
The team are back in league action next Sunday 20th December as they host Bedworth in the FAWNL Division 1 Midlands. The match will kick off at 3pm but supporters are reminded that the game is strictly behind closed doors.
NEXT FIVE
20/12 | Bedworth United (H)
10/01 | Long Eaton United (H)
17/01 | Doncaster Rovers Belles (A)
24/01 | Boldmere St Michaels (A)
27/01 | Sporting Khalsa (H)
TEAMS
Wolves: Thomas, Morphet, Darby, Price (Jennings 64), Edwards (Johnson 83), Walker, Palmer (Miller 76), J.Cross (Riley 87), Paraiso, George (Dickens 64), Conlan.
Unused subs: Conod, Chase, Wilson
Stourbridge: Preston (Legge 68), Butcher, Bown, S.Heaselgrave, Turvey, Lawrence (Allen 89), Moran, Nicklin (Bate 65), Murphy, Meeson (Thacker 88), Aldred (Somers 79).
Unused subs: L.Heaselgrave, Salt, Plimmer, Hopkins.
Report by Katy Wordley-Smith
