Wolves Women’s League Cup journey came to an end at the semi-final stage, as Watford progressed into the final on Sunday afternoon.
First half goals from Andria Georgiou and Faye Brough secured the victory for the Hornets at Grosvenor Vale, with Dan McNamara’s side unable to reply against their southern opponents, despite a much-improved second 45.
It was a tense start to the game as both teams wanted to start on the front foot with the visitors seemingly the better side, but a flurry of chances for Watford got the hosts back into the game.
And they took the lead after just 17 minutes as a scramble in the box saw the ball continuously bounce around until it found the foot of Georgiou who smashed into the back of the net.
The old gold started to find their feet again, as a good free-kick effort from Beth Merrick caused some problems for the Watford goalkeeper which earned the visitors a corner. The ball was then swung in and found the head of Tammi George whose header went narrowly over the bar.
The Hornets doubled their lead just before half-time as a foul outside the box provided a perfect set-piece situation and they took full advantage of it, with the ball floated onto the head of Brough who headed in to make it two.
Half-time | Watford 2-0 Wolves
It was a positive start to the second half for Wolves as they started to cause some problems on the right-hand side.
Merrick was a constant threat with her set-pieces and a free-kick on the edge of the box forced a great save from Jaqueline Goldsmid who impressed in between the sticks.
The old gold began to find their groove, creating chance after chance and causing Watford some real problems. Unfortunately for Wolves, the home side showed defensive resilience and did well to preserve their clean sheet.
The birthday girl Ali Miller used her pace to get beyond the Hornets backline, but was thwarted by Goldsmid who was able to get her hands on the ball just before Miller was given the opportunity to shoot.
And it was those two first half goals which proved costly for Wolves who, despite their best efforts, exited the competition after a commendable run to the final four.
Full-time | Watford 2-0 Wolves
REACTION
Manager Dan McNamara felt disappointed after the defeat, with the belief that his side should have put more pressure on Watford during the first half. However, he was proud of the second half performance where his side found their feet and took control of the game.
“I think I got it wrong today,” said McNamara. “The way I set them up, the way I sent them out to play, you saw it was a game of two halves and I think we gave them a little bit too much respect in that first half. We get in at half-time, we change it and we were back to being Wolves, back to our identity. It was a different game in the second half, we created opportunities, even the one at the end for Amy Dicken doesn’t fall for her.
“I have no complaints, I will take it on the chin, the girls have gone out, done what I asked them to do and we were beaten by the better side today in Watford.”
On the teams struggle in front of goal
“I think it was just that final bit of quality in the final third, but as I’ve said before, sometimes it’s just not your day. You make your own luck in football, Watford defended really well, defended resolutely and the ball just wouldn’t fall for us.
“The timing of the second goal, just before half-time, made it an entirely different team talk. It wasn’t to be though, we had a great cup run, challenged the girls to get to the semi-final and we did that. I won’t say I’m happy about that because I want us to be winning trophies and make final appearances so we are disappointed, but we have to keep fighting.”
Coming up
A trip up north for the old gold is coming up next as they take on AFC Fylde, who currently sit 10th and just outside of the relegation zone in the Northern Premier Division. Wolves will be looking for revenge as AFC Fylde were able to pick up a shock win against McNamara’s side at the New Bucks Head.
“It’s going to be tough, Fylde are always a tough side, especially away from home, but hopefully we can bounce back. We’re normally very good at bouncing back, but first we have to reflect on today’s performance.”
A message to the travelling fans…
“The fans were amazing; we knew we would have a big following and we could hear them. A real big thank you them and hopefully we can see some of them away to Fylde. We’ve got two big Black Country derbies coming up and we want to progress and make sure we’re still fighting for two trophies.”
NEXT FIVE
- 12/03/2023 AFC Fylde (A) FAWNL Northern Premier Division
- 16/03/2023 West Brom (A) FAWNL Northern Premier Division
- 19/03/2023 West Brom (A) Birmingham County Cup
- 26/03/2023 Burnley (A) FAWNL Northern Premier Division
- 02/04/2023 Huddersfield Town (H) FAWNL Northern Premier Division
TEAMS
Watford | Goldsmid, Meiwald, Rossiter (Wallace 87), Baptiste (Fatuga-Dada 75), Head, Georgiou, Chandler, Palisch, Bradley, Peart, Brough (Ward 83).
Wolves | Wilson, Morphet, E. Cross, George (Price 90), J. Cross, Dermody (Cooper 76), Holmes (Dicken 90), Johnson (Elsmore 90), Miller (Taho 76), Toussaint, Merrick.
Report by Callum Brannan
