Always Wolves
Always Wolves
West Bromwich Albion Wolves WOLVES WOMEN by Always Wolves 19 seconds ago
Wolves Women Claim Derby Glory with 1-0 Win Over West Brom
MALAIKA KHAN REPORTS ON WOLVES WOMEN DERBY DAY VICTORY.
Wolves 1 (Hughes 76’) vs West Bromwich Albion 0
Wolves secured a big Black Country derby victory at Molineux, with their quality ultimately proving the difference in a hard-fought contest. After a goalless first half, the hosts stepped up their performance in the second period and looked the more dangerous side throughout. Their pressure paid off in the 76th minute, when Amber Hughes produced a brilliant header to seal a deserved 1-0 win and ensure local bragging rights.
The Black Country derby kicked off at 3pm (GMT), in a lively atmosphere, with loud music welcoming both sides onto the pitch before West Brom got the ball rolling. The opening stages were scrappy, as sloppy play from the Baggies gifted Wolves an early corner inside the first minute, though it failed to beat the first player. An early stoppage in the 3rd minute slowed momentum, but chances soon followed. In the 9th minute, Beth Merrick registered the first real effort of the game, firing just over after a clever flick from Charlotte Greengrass into her path. West Brom responded almost immediately, with Simran Jhamat’s creative play setting up Riya Mannu, whose shot was well blocked by Anna Morphet. Further half-chances came and went, including a tame effort from Tammie George, as the tempo dipped and the crowd quietened.
The game sprang back to life around the 25th minute when Wolves pushed forward again, Merrick delivering into the box for Greengrass, who headed wide. West Brom threatened moments later through Taylor Reynolds, who also sent her effort narrowly off target. As heavy rain began to fall, conditions worsened and disrupted the flow, with a brief pause in the 34th minute allowing for a tactical reset. West Brom enjoyed a spell of pressure late in the half, earning a corner in the 42nd minute, though nothing came from it. Three minutes later, Amber Hughes’ effort towards goal, went just wide. Despite three minutes of added time and a final Wolves corner that flashed across goal without a touch, neither side could find a breakthrough, and the teams went into halftime level at 0-0.
Halftime: Wolves 0-0 WEST BROM
After the break, Wolves made an early change with Becky Anderson replacing Abi Loydon in midfield, and they quickly began to assert control. Merrick remained a constant threat down the wing, repeatedly delivering dangerous balls into the box, including one in the 48th minute that led to a corner, though it came to nothing. Wolves continued to push, with Merrick at the heart of most attacks, her cross in the 59th minute eventually found Greengrass, whose header was comfortably gathered by Charlotte Clarke in goal. West Brom had a brief moment going forward around the hour mark, but solid defending and an offside flag halted their progress. As the half wore on, Wolves created further chances through Hughes and Merrick, though efforts were either blocked or directed straight at the goalkeeper.
A flurry of substitutions in the 72nd minute, including the introduction of Abbie Jenner and Louanne Worsey, injected fresh energy into Wolves, while West Brom also made changes of their own. The breakthrough came in the 76th minute when Hughes rose to head the Morphet’s ball in home, sparking celebrations on the touchline from Dan McNamara as Wolves finally made their pressure count. Momentum stayed firmly with Wolves, who continued to threaten from set pieces and wide areas. Late changes and injury stoppages disrupted the flow, with six minutes of added time played, during which Jenner fired over and Hughes went close again, narrowly missing the target. Despite late efforts from both sides, Wolves held on to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory at full time.
Full-time: WOLVES 1 WEST BROM 0
Player of the match: Tammi George
Wolves claimed a crucial three points at Molineux with a hard-earned victory over their local rivals, capping off an impressive all-round performance. Tammi George was deservedly named Player of the Match, while Beth Merrick delivered a phenomenal display throughout, constantly causing problems for the opposition. The decisive moment came from Amber Hughes, whose match-winning header ultimately settled the contest. Attention now turns to their next fixture, as Wolves face Rugby Borough on Thursday evening, with a 19:45 (UK time) kick-off at the SEAH Stadium.
Team Lineups:
Wolves:
**1.**Brooks, 2. Harkin, 3. Morphet, 5. Marshall, 22. Roberts (27. Jenner 72’), 28. Merrick (24. Williams 88’), 17. Johnson (36. Worsey 72’), 10. Loydon (19. Anderson 46’), 7. George, 11. Hughes, 12. Greengrass (16. Quigley 84’).
Unused subs:
40. Stocking, 21. Howe.
West Brom:
**1.**Clarke, 16. Sharp (14. May 90+2’), 31. Day, 6. Green, 2. Reynolds, 10. Rabjohn, 4. Orthodoxou, 24. Haughey, 19. Robinson, 17. Mannu, 7. Jhamat (11. Rhodes 73’).
Unused subs:
23. Johnson, 18. Heselden, 8. Watkins, 12. Janny.
Wolves Women Claim Derby Glory with 1-0 Win Over West Brom
Pukka