Albion Women suffered their second defeat of the campaign, losing 2-1 to Liverpool Feds on Merseyside.
Head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made two changes from the side that lost to Nottingham Forest last time out, Abi Loydon and Simran Jhamat replacing Lucy Newell and Mariam Mahmood in the starting XI on Sunday afternoon.
The Baggies started the game in enthusiastic fashion and claimed the first chance just three minutes from the whistle when midfielder Phoebe Warner burst into the box, but couldn’t divert goalwards after latching onto a loose clearance.
However, just seconds later the home side surged up the field and Beth Donoghue slotted the ball past Lucy Jones in goal.
It wasn’t long until Liverpool doubled their advantage as Donoghue once again found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper – this time opting for the bottom right corner.
Albion produced a response just before the break courtesy of well-worked a set play. Hannah George’s lofted corner fell into the path of Olivia Rabjohn, who tapped past the ‘keeper to halve the deficit.
After half-time, Baggies shot-stopper Jones made an impressive save to keep the hosts at bay after beating away a free-kick from just outside of the 18-yard box.
The Feds continued their spell of dominance, this time hitting the bar from close range following a shot from around the penalty spot, but there was a late chance for Albion to salvage a point when substitute Mahmood pick-pocketed goalkeeper Bec Thomas.
Unfortunately, her shot from a tight angle went just over the bar, meaning Hodgetts-Still's team fell to defeat at the Jericho Lane Sports Hub.
Their next chance to bounce back will see Albion Women play their first game of the 2023/24 campaign at The Hawthorns, with Huddersfield Town the opponents on Sunday, September 17 (ko 2pm).
Albion: Jones, Reynolds, Evans, Green, George, Loydon, Orthodoxou, Warner, Jhamat (Bennett-Steele 83), Rabjohn (Straker 83), Dudley-Jones (Mahmood 27).
Substitutes: Miller, Crackle.