Wolves 2 (Lawley 47, Jenner 78) (7) Ipswich 2 (Slattery 7 & Peake 34) (6)
Wolves Women secured two points in their Subway Players Cup opener as they fought from 2-0 down against Ipswich Town before succeeding 7-6 on penalties.
Ipswich stormed into a two goal lead through Jenna Slattery and Paige Peake before Dan McNamara's half time changes saw substitute Mel Lawley pull one back. Abbi Jenner's goal of the season contender then saw Wolves level, before seven perfect penalties out of eight, combined with two Alex Brooks saves saw the Old Gold win the shootout.
It would be the visitors who started with a spring in their step as an Emma Lawton cross aimed at Jenna Slattery was parried away from danger just three minutes in.
The visitors continued their momentum and earned the opener through a Slattery half-volley, which was put on a plate for her from an excellent cross by Lawton.
McNamara’s side responded well with a dominant spell of possession, which ended with Louanne Worsey creating space for herself just outside the box, however safe hands from Natalie Negri prevented the goal.
The away side almost got their second through an audacious Mary McAteer attempt from 25 yards out, although the strike went just north of the crossbar.
Despite The Old Gold showing positive signs, Ipswich doubled their lead following a scramble in the box straight from a corner, with Paige Peake showing instinct by poking the ball into the top-left corner of the net.
Half-Time | Wolves 0-2 Ipswich
Wolves started the second half in excellent fashion with Lawley halving the deficit. Neat link-up play down the left-hand flank saw the half-time substitute through on goal, who caught the keeper out from a tight angle.
Ipswich threatened to stretch their lead once more, as Lucy O’Brien and Slattery had consecutive shots strongly blocked by Anna Morphet and Brooks in the net.
The pressure persisted for Ipswich as just minutes later Jenna Dear attempted a shot from range, with the crossbar coming to the keeper's rescue.
Wolves showed fight back nonetheless, with a long-range effort from Amber Hughes skimming the top of the bar and denying an equaliser.
This pressure turned to gold as with just ten minutes left on the clock, the ball rolled perfectly to Jenner from a defender's clearance, who rifled the ball in a stunning manner into the net from 35 yards out to level the score.
Neither side could find the winner, with the game ending in a penalty shoutout to decide who would claim the extra point.
Wolves secured the extra point in their first Subway Players Cup match this season as Brooks saved two and the players scoring all but two in the penalty shootout.
Full-Time | Wolves 2-2 Ipswich
Wolves | Brooks, Morphet, Matthews (Marshall 65’), George (Williams 37’), Filis (Hughes 45’) Olding, Sims, Anderson (Robertson 90+1’), Roberts, Jenner, Worsley (Lawley 45’)
Unused Subs | Orman, Daniëls, Jones, Francis
Ipswich | Negri, Fox, Hunter, Slattery (Mitchell 87’), O’Brien (Timms 64’), McAteer (Hornby 64’), Cavanagh, Lawton, Peake, Dear, Ayane (Ademiluyi 64’)
Unused Subs | Proulx, Boswell, Weir, McGowan, Adams
