Wolves Women 4 (Fergusson 1, Merrick 11, Gotch OG 18, Denham 69) Oxford United Women 1 (Barratt 12)
Superb long-range strikes from Beth Merrick and Ania Denham helped Wolves Women run out 4-1 winners against Oxford United Women in their final pre-season match at the New Bucks Head.
New signing Olivia Fergusson and an own goal by Jaime Gotch rounded up the goals for Dan McNamara’s side, with Zoe Barratt’s finish the only goal of the game for the visitors.
An unbelievable start to the match saw Amber Hughes burst through the middle of Oxford’s back four before slipping in the home debutant Fergusson, who calmly finished into the bottom left hand corner, which gave Wolves the perfect start after just 19 seconds.
Moments later, Wolves almost doubled their lead through Beth Roberts, whose left-footed shot was comfortably stopped by goalkeeper Caitlin Crierie.
It wasn’t long until the hosts found their second, as Merrick’s superb curled effort flew into the top right-hand corner, which left Crierie and everyone else in the stadium stunned.
A lightning quick start! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/8idamC91Z1
— Wolves Women FC (@WolvesWomen) August 13, 2023
The visitors looked to bounce back, as Daisy McLachlan had a half chance which skied over the bar. Barratt was then slipped in with a great pass from the midfield and she fired her shot across Shan Turner’s goal to pull one back for Oxford.
Wolves were then back on the front foot as they extended their lead. The ball was crossed in from the left-hand side, causing confusion in the Oxford defence and Gotch bundled the ball into the back of her own net.
The home side were flying and moments later, Merrick’s brilliant disguised chip through ball met Fergusson who was one-on-one with Crierie, however the woodwork denied her from grabbing her second and Wolves’ fourth of the match.
Soon after, Roberts’ great work down left-hand side found Hughes in the middle whose outstretched leg couldn’t convert on the half-hour mark.
The goals started to dry up after such an electric start, however Wolves were still finding themselves with opportunities as both Merrick and Destiney Toussaint looked to test Crierie before the interval, where the hosts went in leading by three goals to one.
Half-time | Wolves 3-1 Oxford United
Liam Gilbert’s side looked to make amends early in the second half, as the visitors had a header cleared off the line following a corner.
Wolves, with neat build up play saw Ellie Wilson with space on the edge of the box, however her long ranged effort flew over the bar on minute 50.
Battling away 💪 pic.twitter.com/mtEVcvy4vO
— Wolves Women FC (@WolvesWomen) August 13, 2023
Soon after, Oxford found themselves on the break, down the left-hand side just after the hour mark, however their effort saw Turner comfortably catch the ball.
Moments later, 16-year old substitute Ania Denham with her first touch in senior football, sublimely curled the ball with her left foot and into the top left hand corner, once again leaving the goalkeeper and the rest of the stadium stunned, as Wolves scored their fourth goal of the match.
As was the case in the first half, the goals started to dry up in the latter stages of the half as substitute Amy Dicken’s shot caused no issues for the Oxford keeper.
Wolves were in cruise control and McNamara’s side ran out 4-1 winners in what was a comfortable afternoon for the home side ahead of their FA Women’s National League season opener at Derby County next weekend.
Full-time | Wolves 4-1 Oxford United
REACTION
Head coach McNamara was full of praise for his Wolves sides performance, however claimed that there was still work to be done after their final pre-season fixture ahead of the new season.
“I thought the girls looked really good in certain moments, the passages of play we had been working on and the possession stuff really showed, it was a really pleasing performance for me.
“We switched off in the first half, we went into it wanting to get that clean sheet, so it was a little bit of negative conceding, but overall I think we dominated large parts of the game, but overall really pleased, we are looking forward to taking it into next week and see where we can get to.”
On the qualities of the team
“We have great technicians on the field who can do what they did today. Give Beth Merrick half a chance in and around the box and she will create, if not score and I was really pleased with her first half performance.
“When she found that pass to Liv (Fergusson) when she hit the post, that was a great little passage of play and that is what Beth brings in that pocket. I thought she was excellent today and unplayable at times.
On Ania Denham’s debut goal
“She came off the bench at 16 and she has an unbelievable career ahead of her. She had been away with Wales this week, so was a little bit behind with what we have been asking her to do. To score with your first touch in senior football was fantastic for her. I know her Mum was in the crowd, so she would have enjoyed that and it’s a great occasion for her to remember.”
On some of the behind-closed-doors friendlies
“There is a lot of behind-closed-doors stuff and people ask why can’t we watch? The women’s game is a little bit different to the men’s. There are a lot of free agents right up to the start of the season, so you like to keep things in house and the players don’t want it out there that they are trialling at various clubs.
“I know that there has been a bit of frustration with the behind-closed-doors stuff, but it was brilliant to open it up today and get the fans in and it was great to hear them singing at the start of the game and we are looking forward to many more occasions with them over the next 12 months.”
On the season opener at Derby
“It’s going to be tough from the minute go. Derby have added some real quality over the last few weeks and it’s never been an easy place to go. We saw what they did to us here at the end of last season with them going away with a point. Every game next year is going to be tough.
“I think the league has gone on to another level and we have to try and compete with this. Ultimately, we are looking forward to it and we are excited for it and the girls are relishing the opportunity to go out and compete against some of the best clubs that are around.”
NEXT FIVE
20/08/23 Derby County (A)
27/08/23 Doncaster (H) League Cup
03/09/23 Burnley (A)
06/09/23 Stourbridge (H)
10/09/23 Halifax (H)
TEAMS
Wolves | Turner, Wilson (Fryer 68), Morphet (E. Cross 78), George (Johnson 59), Will, Dermody (Denham 68), Hughes, Fergusson (J. Cross 59), Toussaint (Dicken 78), Roberts (Smith 78), Merrick.
Subs not used | Thomas.
Oxford United | Crierie, Hoare (Trinci 77), Gotch, Wellesley-Smith (Sherwood 77), Provan (Gray 77), Burridge (Trialist 63), Stevens, Cook (Wiseman 45), Liggett (King 57), Barratt (Swaby 77), McLachlin (Trialist 77).
Report by Harry Langstaff
