Dan McNamara is manager of Wolves Women and across the season will be penning his thoughts in a regular column in the Express & Star.
Last Sunday was a really special day for everyone connected with the club.
Playing the Black Country derby at Molineux in front of more than 2,000 people was a fantastic occasion. The support we received was outstanding, and I want to thank everyone who came along to back the team.
Hopefully, it gave a few new supporters a taste of what we’re building here, and we’ll see more of them at the SEAH Stadium in the final two home games of the season.
It was a long day all round, but one I thoroughly enjoyed—made even better by the result.
A few of us from the coaching staff started the morning by taking part in the Wolverhampton 10k, raising money for the Foundation and the great work they do in the community. I’ll also take the chance to put on record that I was the first from our group over the line!
From there, our focus quickly shifted to the game, and the club did a fantastic job of making it feel like a proper Wolves Women occasion. The dressing room, the flags, and the banner from the Old Gold Pack all added to the atmosphere and gave the players a real lift as they went out.
We knew going into the game that Albion would make it difficult, and that’s exactly how it played out.
If I’m being honest, we weren’t at our best in the first half. We were slightly off it, and that was addressed at half-time.
What pleased me most, though, was the reaction. The players showed real character in the second half, dug in, and found a way to get the result.
That’s what good teams do. Even when things aren’t quite clicking, you stay in the game and give yourself a chance.
Amber Hughes stepping up with the goal came as no surprise. I’ve said consistently that she’s one of the best number nines in the league, and she has a real instinct for being in the right place at the right time. It was also a great delivery from Anna Morphet to create the opportunity.
The challenge for us now is to maintain that momentum. We’re in a strong position, but there’s still work to be done. We want to keep pushing Burnley all the way and make sure that if there’s any slip, we’re ready to take advantage.
Looking ahead, Rugby Borough are next up, and we know exactly what to expect. We’ve had some very tight games against them this season. The first, back in August, was a five-goal contest that went right to the wire, and then in the FA Cup here, it was another close encounter. They’ve made life difficult for us every time we’ve played them, and I don’t expect anything different this time.
We know our end goal for the season, and we have to make sure we rise to the challenge. There are three or four games left for these players to make a real difference and potentially change their lives.
After this one, we’ll have a short break before the final run-in, which will be another big test—but one we’re looking forward to.
As always, your support makes a huge difference. We saw that at Molineux, and we feel it every time we step out at home. Hopefully, we can give you another performance to enjoy.
Enjoy the game,
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