Wolves 2 (Merrick 74 & Quigley 89) Stoke 0
Wolves Women secured a 2-0 win over Stoke City Women in the Adobe Women's FA Cup second round on an historic evening at the SEAH Stadium.
A season-high attendance of 854 Old Gold fans watched Beth Merrick and Racheal Quigley find the back of the net, taking the former’s FA Cup goalscoring record to a staggering 13 strikes in 18 matches.
The encounter was also shown live on TNT Sports – marking the first time Wolves have featured on national television.
Wolves were greeted by a terrific atmosphere as the game kicked off in Telford. Katie Johnson was the first to have an effort on the Stoke goal, but her curling shot from 25 yards narrowly avoided Harriet Grimshaw’s top right corner in the third minute.
Charlotte Greengrass then nodded an effort into the clutches of Grimshaw, flicking a brilliant Lyndsey Harkin cross straight at the ‘keeper.
Wolves were having the best of the opening play but Stoke were once again proving to be tough opposition as they frustrated the hosts from open play.
The Potters were yet to test Alex Brooks, but that changed in the 20th minute as Shannon Stamps’ deep free-kick delivery was flicked past the near post by Olivia Cook from inside the six-yard box.
Dan McNamara’s side continued to hold most of the possession and fashioned another chance on the half-hour mark.
A fortunate break of the ball allowed Greengrass to run into space before Louanne Worsey whipped a pacy delivery into Grimshaw’s area, which the goalkeeper punched out of danger.
Worsey went for goal herself in the last opportunity of the half, pulling the ball past two defenders prior to firing a powerful shot straight at Grimshaw.
Half Time | Wolves 0-0 Stoke
The first five minutes of the second half saw the game’s best chance so far. Chloe Williams was put through on goal, but her chipped effort had too much lift, agonisingly floating over the visitors’ crossbar.
Cheered on by the superb home support, Wolves saw much of the ball as Merrick attempted to break the deadlock, only to have an effort repelled by the Stoke defence.
However, in the 74th minute, she was able to open the scoring, finishing off a scintillating counter-attack.
Georgia Marshall stepped forward from defence, pinging an inch-perfect pass to Merrick, who drove towards goal, curling an effort over Grimshaw to give the Old Gold a deserved lead.
Wolves did well to preserve their advantage and went onto extend their lead in the 89th minute.
Racheal Quigley found the back of the net after a looping corner delivery was spilt into her path, leaving the substitute to nod home, doubling the hosts’ tally.
The hosts saw out the rest of the encounter, sending Wolves into the FA Cup third round draw on Monday night.
Full Time | Wolves 2-0 Stoke
Wolves | Brooks, Harkin, Morphet, Marshall, Greengrass (Cross 90), Johnson, Sims, Anderson (Loydon 85), Williams (Quigley 72), Merrick (Roberts 85), Worsey (Robertson 64)
Unused Subs | Thomas, Jenner.
Stoke | Grimshaw, Molinari, Cook, Deering (Wilson 82), Clarke (Kennerley 75), Cole, Reidford, Priestley (Millington 90+1), Cooper, Stamps, Lancaster
Unused Subs | Farrell, Scott, Jenkins, Wilkinson.
