Albion Women were beaten by Middlesbrough on their FAWNL Northern Premier travels on Sunday afternoon.
Charlie Fripp’s side had plenty of opportunities to score, but were left behind in the scoreline at the MAP Group UK Stadium after Olivia Watt’s headed strike within the first 17 minutes.
The Baggies go again in midweek when they face Birmingham City PGA in the FAWNL Cup group stage (ko 7.45pm).
The hosts started the brighter of the two teams without really threatening the Albion goal, but still scored the opener with their first shot on target. Watt’s header found just enough height to loop over the head of Charlotte Clarke to give Boro a lead inside 17 minutes.
Albion looked to respond, though, and almost did with a well-worked move down the left-hand-side. Ella Haughey nipped beyond a Middlesbrough defender to cross into Jess Collyer, who could only turn wide of the target.
There was pinball in the hosts’ penalty area with Zoe Creaney and Hannah George lurking, but nobody in navy-blue-and-white could help Fripp’s side find the equaliser as the game ebbed towards half-time.
Riya Mannu managed to slip in-behind the Middlesbrough defence, but was met with the strong resolve of Megan Borthwick, who rushed out to smother her poke towards goal.
The Baggies struck the crossbar and Ella Haughey forced Borthwick low into a save within the first five minutes of the second period, though they couldn’t manage to find the target.
Monique Robinson, Rhianne Oakley and debutant Phoebe Hollin all entered the fray in Fripp’s attempt to change the visitors’ fortunes, but to little avail as Albion were sent back to the Midlands empty-handed.
Albion: Clarke; Reynolds, Creaney, George (Day 85’), Haughey; Powell (Robinson 71’) Rush, Mannu; Jones, Round (Oakley 58’), Collyer (Hollin 58’).
Substitutes: Grimshaw, Sharp, Rabjohn.
