Despite a promising performance, Albion Women were beaten by league leaders Burnley Women in the FA Women’s National League at the County Ground on Sunday.
Siobhan Hodgetts-Still opted for three changes from the side that were defeated by Huddersfield Town last weekend.
Captain Hannah George was restored to the starting line-up in place of Hayley Crackle whilst Mariam Mahmood and Lucy Newell also returned having missed out on the match day squad last time out.
Albion started the brighter of the two sides as Phoebe Warner latched onto a loose ball and curled a shot just over the crossbar in the opening stages.
The Baggies continued in similar vein as they pressed for an opener, this time Delphi Cole playing in Mahmood, but her shot was wide of the target.
Another chance then came the visitors’ way as Cole and Warner combined to create a shooting chance for the former, whose effort was well-saved by goalkeeper Kirstie Levell.
It was then the hosts’ turn to attack as a corner was met by Millie Ravening who poked towards goal, only for her effort to be cleared off the line by Ashlee Brown.
Albion then turned to set-pieces to create an opportunity as George flicked a header towards the far post, but some well-placed defending saw the Clarets clear off the line.
The second half got underway and Burnley managed to turn the tide of the game, scoring within minutes of the whistle through Leah Embley.
The hosts doubled their advantage just after the restart, this time through Laura Elford who was on hand to tap home at the back post.
Albion looked to respond quickly through Cole once again, as Fran Orthodoxou mishit her shot, only for it to fall to the Baggies striker who tested Levell with a low-driven strike.
It was Orthodoxou who would eventually grab the Baggies' opener as Hannah George swung in a cross to the midfielder, who looped a powerful effort over the goalkeeper.
Albion shot-stopper Anna Miller was soon called into action as she denied substitute Aimee Kelly from grabbing a Clarets’ third, standing up well to save a one-on-one opportunity.
But the home side put the game to bed just four minutes from time as Ravening found space and smashed the ball into the net from the edge of the box.
Albion Women are next in action on Sunday, November 12 as they take on Lye Town Ladies in the first round proper of the FA Cup.
Albion: Miller, Brown, Newell, George, Rabjohn, Orthodoxou, Evans (Loydon 74’), Warner, Mahmood (Weston 89’), Jhamat (Straker 74’), Cole.
Subs: Jones, Crackle.