Loughborough Foxes 2 (6, 86)
Wolves Women 3 (Anslow 5, Brackenbury 21, Perks 28)
League leaders Loughborough Foxes fell to their first defeat of the season at the hands of an impressive Wolves side, who now progress to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. The match, played at Loughborough University Stadium, saw Wolves come out 3-2 winners from a hard fought tie.
Wolves started the game the strongest and were able to get a quick goal after five minutes when Jen Anslow’s free kick from the edge of the box eluded everyone and went straight into the net to put the visitors ahead.
Loughborough however came straight back into the game with an equaliser just a minute later, beating Lucy Gardner in the Wolves goal.
Jade Cross came close in the 8th minute, but her shot was stopped by the keeper. Wolves’ relentless attack finally paid dividends in the 21st minute from another Anslow free-kick. The ball came back off the post and, after a goal mouth scramble, fell to Vicky Brackenbury who tapped it home against her former club to put Wolves ahead again.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure, and seven minutes later they scored their third when captain Anna Perks headed in from a corner, giving them a two goal cushion at the break.
The second half saw Loughborough Foxes find some of the spirit which has seen them unbeaten so far this season, creating a host of chances. In the 48th minute they hit the crossbar, but their shot from the rebound was saved by Gardner. They came close in the 61st minute, heading onto the post from a corner.
Wolves were steadfast in defence, but Loughborough got the breakthrough in 86th minute when they were awarded a penalty and converted to make it 3-2.
The final few minutes were a tense affair, but Wolves were able to secure the win to progress to the next round.
*Next Sunday 16th October sees Wolves turn their attention to the League Cup, when they entertain Brighouse Town Ladies at Keys Park with a 2pm kick-off.
Team: Gardner, Hakeman (Hewitt), Anslow, Luke, Perks, Brackenbury, Whetton, E.Cross, J.Cross, McQuilkin, James (Holden).
