Albion Women fell to defeat in their FA Women’s National League North derby against Wolves Women at the Valley Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made five changes from the side which triumphed against Leafield Athletic last weekend as Ashlee Brown, Isabel Green, Hannah George, Fran Orthodoxou and Phoebe Warner all returned to the starting line-up for this one.
Albion almost took the lead early on as Delphi Cole picked the pocket of Wolves centre-back Emma Cross. She found herself with a chance on goal, but the defender made a cautious recovery just before the trigger was pulled.
Another opportunity came the home team’s way as a few intricate combinations in midfield left Kate Evans with the chance to shoot from range. Unfortunately, her volleyed strike whistled past the post.
Instead, it was the visitors who grabbed the opener after Beth Merrick’s cross caused confusion inside the six-yard box, leaving Sophie Bamford the chance to tap home.
Minutes later, Wolves doubled their advantage through Olivia Fergusson courtesy of a well-struck volley which nestled into the bottom corner.
The Baggies looked to get one back after the break, with Simran Jhamat seeing an effort fly over the bar via a deflection following some bright work from Olivia Rabjohn down the right wing.
Jhamat would be involved again as Albion were eventually rewarded for their early efforts in the second period. After winning the ball high up the pitch Jhamat squared to Delphi Cole, who finished coolly to bring her side within reach of the visitors’ total.
A succession of corners saw the Baggies creep towards an equaliser but to no avail. Firstly, Lucy Newell’s sliced effort was deflected over the bar, with the resulting corner seeing Fran Orthodoxou’s powerful header fall wide of the target.
However, Wolves added a third with just eight minutes to play, as Tammi George finished off the visitors’ slick break with a powerful side-footed finish.
Albion Women are back in action next Sunday, in their FA Women’s National League Cup tie against Huddersfield Town at the Valley Stadium.
Albion: Miller, Brown, Green, Newell, George, Evans, Orthodoxou, Warner, Rabjohn (Straker 87’), Jhamat, Cole (Mahmood 72’).
Substitutes: Jones, Loydon, Bennett-Steele.
Images courtesy of Crewe-Green Photography.