Stoke City 1 (Priestley 16’) 3 (Marshall 45+10, Greengrass 66’, 80’) Wolves
Wolves Women secured three points in the FA Women’s National League after a 3-1 victory against Stoke City at Wellbeing Park that takes the title race to the final day.
The hosts did take the lead through Evie Priestley before Georgia Marshall levelled the score and Charlotte Greengrass’ brace guided Wolves to victory in their final league away game of the season.
The result marks the fourth time that Dan McNamara’s side have beaten the Potters this season, scoring eight and conceding three across the four fixtures.
Chloe Williams was first to test Harriet Grimshaw in the early exchanges with a sharp effort on goal.
Despite Wolves’ positive start, the hosts opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Priestley’s deflected strike.
Greengrass’ speedy through ball presented Racheal Quigley with an opportunity on goal however the number 16’s effort crashed the crossbar and Louanne Worsey’s header on the rebound failed to find the target from close range.
Wolves continued to search for an equaliser and Beth Merrick’s deep cross was sprung dangerously across the Stoke City box, but the pass was too quick for Worsey to wrap her foot around the ball.
Deep into added time, after a scramble inside the box, Marshall eventually got Wolves level from close range.
Half time | Stoke City 1-1 Wolves Women
Once play had resumed, Wolves had a much more positive start compared to the first and Grimshaw was forced to deny Worsey’s effort after the restart.
McNamara’s side took the advantage for the first time in the 66th minute when Greengrass’ precise effort fired into the bottom corner.
In a mirror image of Wolves’ second, Williams’ pass set up Greengrass for a third and final goal in the fixture.
Full time | Stoke City 1-3 Wolves Women
Wolves Women |Brooks, Morphet, Marshall (Harkin 84’), George, Hughes (Quigley 17’), Greengrass (Loydon 87'), Anderson (Johnson 84’), Williams, Jenner, Merrick (Roberts 70’), Worsey.
Unused subs | Stocking, Cross.
Stoke City | Grimshaw, Jenkins (Robinson 85’), Cook, Hughes, Wilson, Reidford (Clarke 77’), Deering, Wilkinson, Stamps, Priestley, Cole (Millington 85’).
Unused subs | Whitehouse, Scott, Molinari, Davies.
By Thomas Gibson
