Albion Women Manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still says her side 'lacked drive' in their defeat to Hull City Ladies, their first of the FAWNL Northern Premier campaign.
The Baggies were defeated 4-1 by the current league leaders in North Ferriby, with Phoebe Warner scoring the only visiting goal on Sunday.
Hodgetts-Still believes that the physical hosts stunted the positive momentum that Albion created in East Yorkshire.
“It’s not the result that we wanted,” Hodgetts-Still said.
“By our own standards, the performance wasn't good enough today.
“The first 20 minutes, I thought we started well, we created some good chances, but as soon as they scored, I just felt like we lacked drive to get back into the game.
“They then go to score one before half-time and we see ourselves going in 2-0 down at half-time. I think physically, we struggled, they were really competitive, and they dominated both boxes really well, so obviously credit to Hull.
“Then in the second half, they score a set piece, which we need to be better defending. When we were on top, a decision doesn’t go our way and I feel it kills the momentum of the game.
“We started well in the second half and then they go and score a set piece. I still think we had that passion and drive to get back in the game.
“It’s a difficult place to come and we know how good Hull were last season, but we must be ready to compete and fight. I thought the difference was that Hull were better in both boxes today and that's what won them the game.”
Meanwhile, it was a 'bittersweet' return from injury for attacking midfielder Warner, whose poacher-like finish gave Albion a glimmer of hope midway through the second half.
“It was bittersweet because obviously I enjoyed being back out there,” Warner said.
“It's been a tough few weeks but I'm happy to be back out there and scoring.
“I think it's a tough one. We had a few chances, in the second half especially. It was wave after wave; I think we've just got to put our chances away and then defend better in our own box too.
“I think we need to learn from this, to go away, practice our crossing, practice our finishing - it's those finer details we’ll go away and work on.
“We’ve played them a few times now and I think we need to match that physicality when we come here. It's always a tough game and I think the reverse fixture when we play them, we'll know that and we've got to be up for it.”
Albion head to Merseyside next to face Liverpool Feds on Sunday, August 31.
