Albion Women suffered their first defeat in three games after falling short against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Sunday afternoon’s Black Country Derby at the Alexander Stadium.
Wanderers took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes after Albion failed to deal with Anna Morphet’s left-footed, in-swinging corner which somehow found its way through a host of bodies and into the far corner.
The Baggies struggled to find a real response after that set-back, Ella Haughey dragged a shot well wide before a small cry for a penalty after Hannah George went down in a coming together was firmly denied by the referee.
Charlotte Clarke stood tall at her near post, strongly punching away Louanne Worsey’s arrowed drive but there was nothing she could do on 20 minutes to prevent Amber Hughes doubling Wolves’ lead.
The forward won in a foot race against the last defender for a long ball, opting to calmly slot her low effort beyond Clarke and into the bottom corner.
The shot-stopper prevented a third just past the half-hour mark, racing out of her six-yard box to block Becky Anderson’s tame poke from crawling underneath her.
Albion had their best moment in first half stoppage time, Rhianne Oakley beating her marker for pace after being played through, sadly her shot from the left side of the area failed to trouble Alex Brooks in the away goal who calmly collected down low.
The Baggies started the second half in positive fashion, with Hodgetts-Still’s side threatening in the final third.
A series of corners looked dangerous, one effort blocked at point-blank range but the hosts couldn’t capitalise on their pressure before a Taylor Reynolds cross from the right flirted with the far corner but her lofted ball landed on the roof of the net.
After a bright start, Albion were then on the receiving end of Wolves dominance. The visitors saw a glorious chance blazed over and were inches away from a third when Charlotte Greengrass’ delicate lob over Clarke was thwarted by the crossbar.
Wolves then did add a third on 89 minutes, Amy Sims fired from range to secure all three points before seeing red a minute later after a rash foul on Fran Orthodoxou in the centre of the park.