Wolves 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 (George 50)
Wolves Women exited the Women’s National League Cup after a 1-0 defeat to Black Country rivals West Brom.
A second-half strike from Hannah George sealed the victory for the visitors in Telford.
The result means Wolves have suffered their first loss at the SEAH Stadium this season, ending a fantastic unbeaten run on home soil.
The Old Gold got off to a quick start, with Amber Hughes involved in two early chances. Millie Robertson went on a mazy run from her defensive position, passing the ball to Hughes, who fired wide of Charlotte Clarke’s goal.
Hughes looked to turn provider in the fourth minute, but her cross was side-footed narrowly past Clarke’s near-post by Louanne Worsey.
This seemed to spark the Baggies into life as they grew into the cup tie. There were few chances from then on as a cagey game unfolded in Telford.
It was Hughes who had the next meaningful effort on goal; the attacker won the ball high up the pitch before unleashing a powerful effort at Clarke, who parried well.
West Brom’s Ella Haughley attempted an ambitious lobbed effort in the 32nd minute, but the ball sailed over Alex Brooks’ goal, leaving the goalkeeper untroubled.
The best chance of the half fell to Charlotte Greengrass. Hughes put her teammate in behind before she slid a low shot inches wide of Clarke’s goal just five minutes before the interval.
A feisty few minutes capped off the first half as several players were shown yellow cards by the referee.
Half Time | Wolves 0-0 West Brom
The visitors started the second half well and made their early momentum count. Hannah George headed home from a free kick to open the scoring in the 50th minute.
Brooks was called into action minutes later as Phoebe Warner lashed a powerful strike goal-wards.
This seemed to spark Wolves into life. Hughes tried her luck from just inside the penalty area, but Clarke was equal to it again as she parried the ball clear.
However, for the next 15 minutes, chances came few and far between for the hosts. Anna Morphet had the best opportunity, but her free-kick attempt climbed over the crossbar.
Becky Anderson was the next to try her luck from a set piece, but similarly to Morphet, the ball did not dip enough to trouble Clarke.
Wolves continued to probe for an equaliser, but West Brom hung onto victory, meaning the Old Gold have exited the Women’s National League Cup.
Full Time | Wolves 0-1 West Brom
Wolves | Brooks, Morphet, Robertson, Marshall, Hughes, Greengrass, Johnson, Anderson (Quigley 80), Roberts (Sims 65), Jenner, Worsey (Williams 65)
Unused Subs | Thomas, Harkin, Cross, Loydon
West Brom | Clarke, Reynolds, Green (May 57), Creaney, George, Rabjohn (Orthodoxou 86), Watkins, Warner, Robinson, Haughey, Oakley
Unused Subs | Johnson, Jhamat, Sharp, Pullen, Kehoe
