Beth Merrick’s hat-trick led the way as Wolves put nine past Bedworth United to progress through to the next round of the Birmingham County Cup.
Wolves started the match with impressive intensity against Bedworth, despite the foggy conditions, and opened up the scoring within the first five minutes.
Merrick bagged the first goal of the afternoon after an attacking start. She received the ball inside the six-yard box and slotted home calmly first time.
After relentless pressure from Wolves, Amber Hughes followed in Merrick’s footsteps to make it two. Another close range shot from inside the box this time after receiving a low driven cross from the left.
Tammi George was next to make it three. A hat-trick of close ranged efforts from Dan McNamara’s side was sealed off in the 28th minute. George was quick to react to a low cross and diverted a header past Emma Dell in goal.
Wolves still had more to give and Merrick added her second to the scoreline. She picked up the ball on the edge of the box to the left and curled a brilliant right footed effort into the top left corner of the goal.
Jade Cross added the fifth just before the break after Merrick played a perfectly weighted ball through to her. She showed great composure and took the ball around Dell and passed into an open net.
Half-time | Bedworth 0-5 Wolves
The old gold begun the second-half just as they did the first. Intense pressure off the ball and calm control on it. This saw them add a sixth just minutes into the half.
Merrick completed her hat-trick with another strike from outside the area. After a deflected shot fell to her feet, she struck a powerful half volley low towards the near post and into the back of the net.
Second-half substitute Leo Joyce was next to add her name to the scoresheet. She picked up the ball and drove down the middle of the pitch towards the edge of the box. She rifled a long-ranged effort low across goal and nestled the ball into the bottom left corner.
To the bad fortune of Bedworth, Izzy Grindrod knocked in an own goal to make it eight. Wolves whipped in an in-swinging corner towards the near post where the defender couldn’t react quick enough and saw the ball rebound off her and into the net.
Hughes earned her second of the match with a wonderful goal. She controlled a pass inside the area and with great footwork, worked the ball around a handful of defenders before smashing the ball into the top right corner at the near post.
This goal saw Wolves end the night 9-0 victors and progress through to the next round of the Birmingham County Cup.
Full-time | Bedworth 0-9 Wolves
REACTION
Dan McNamara was delighted with his team’s performance after a disappointing result last time out and postponements of matches.
He commented: “You know what you’re going to get when you come down to Bedworth, they’re a physical, strong side.
“We spoke about remaining professional, keeping our standards and making sure the quality was there and I thought the girls did that. I thought they were fantastic. Some great goals and great performances and it was good to get that positivity back after a disappointing result last time out.”
On the reaction after getting knocked out of the FA Cup
“We were gutted at the Forest result, that is not the way we wanted to excited the FA Cup. We wanted to bounce back and the postponement of Hull City last week wasn’t what we wanted.
“We got the opportunity to do that today and I thought the girls applied themselves fantastically, I was really pleased.”
On Beth Merrick’s performance
“She opened her account and we knew as soon as soon as she did, she would go onto bigger and better things.
“She showed her quality today scoring three outstanding goals, a couple of goals for Amber [Hughes] as well and I think the fact we saw Maz [Gautlett] get on the pitch as well, giving us 25 minutes and showing us how much quality she has, is really exciting.
“We go into Christmas really positive, happy with the squad. We’ve got a couple of injuries to take care of over the next couple of weeks but apart from that an all-round good day.”
COMING UP
By moving into the next round of the Birmingham County Cup, Wolves end 2021 on a high and now have a three-week Christmas break before returning to action in the FAWNL Cup against Liverpool Feds on 9th January.
NEXT FIVE
09/01 Liverpool Feds (A) WNLC
16/01 Middlesbrough (A)
23/01 Derby County (H)
26/01 West Bromwich Albion (A)
30/01 AFC Fylde (A)
TEAMS
Bedworth United: Del, Whalley (Barker 60), Hackney, McCook, Gilkes, McGuckin, Webb, Dunn (Bates 48), Gilbertson (Grindrod 60), Rosevear, King (Hunter 48).
Wolves: Turner, Widdal, George (Gautlett 59), Cross, Hughes, Darby, Holmes (Dicken 56), Dermody (Price 36), Butler (Joyce 53), Elsmore, Merrick (Cooper 53).
Words: Tom Alston
