Wolves Women 1 (J. Cross 79)
Loughborough Students 1 (Spokes 88)
Wolves Women were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom side Loughborough Students in a frustrating afternoon at Keys Park. After losing out to Coventry United last weekend in the semi-final of the Birmingham County Cup, they were looking for a good result in the league, but were left disappointed.
Wolves’ first real chance of the game came in the seventh minute as Natalie Widdal chipped the ball in behind the Loughborough defence to Sam Berry, playing her first game since returning to the club, but her shot went wide.
They were close again just three minutes later as Jen Anslow floated in a free kick to Widdal, but her header from close range went over the bar.
Wolves were dominating possession but couldn’t make the breakthrough, and it took until the 24th minute for their next chance as Anslow’s corner found Widdal again, but her header was cleared by the defence.
Then Anslow threatened down the left, sending her cross into the box which could only be cleared as far as Andrea Whetton, whose shot was straight at the keeper.
Wolves were struggling to get past the valiant Loughborough defence, and didn't create another chance until the 45th minute after another corner from Anslow found Anna Perks, but her header was also cleared, and the half finished goalless.
Wolves came out fighting, and in the 49th minute Whetton found room to cross from the right hand side, but the ball eluded everyone and drifted wide.
Wolves had a great chance four minutes later after a long throw by Anslow found Jade Cross, pictured, in the box, who in turn laid it back to Berry, but her shot was blocked.
Loughborough’s first chance of the game came in the 55th minute as former Wolves player Emily North almost found the net when her shot smacked against the bar.
Wolves picked up the pace and had a great chance in the 58th minute after a long range shot from Anslow rebounded off the post to Jade Cross six yards out, but her shot was too high.
In the 65th minute Jade Cross found space on the right and laid the ball back to substitute Laura McQuilkin whose curling shot from 20 yards was saved by the keeper.
Then McQuilkin found space in the box after a Jade Cross flick on, but her touch was heavy and the keeper gathered.
Wolves continued to press and two minutes later Cross turned her marker in the box but her shot was blocked.
Finally, in the 79th minute Wolves made the breakthrough after a long ball from Widdal found Jade Cross, who finished beautifully with the edge of her right foot from 18 yards out.
But Loughborough fought back, pressing hard until they found an equaliser from a corner in the 88th minute as Alexia Spokes tapped it in.
With the clock ticking down Wolves pushed on, trying hard to regain the lead, but it wasn’t to be and the game finished in stalemate.
Manager Tim Dudding said: "It was a disappointing result today. Credit to Loughborough they were dogged and determined. From our point of view there were errors and complacencies which meant the result didn't go our way, and we have to look at ourselves and say that's not good enough.
“It’s one of those things that happen in football and can absolutely ruin you sometimes, but we’ll pick ourselves up and go again."
* Wolves are at home again next Sunday 2nd April when they play host to Radcliffe Olympic Ladies. The game will be played at Hednesford Town FC with a 2pm kick-off. Admission is £2; concessions £1.
Wolves Team: Glenny, E. Cross, Anslow, Richards (Quick 69), Widdal, Webb, Bragan (James), Perks, J. Cross, Berry (McQuilkin), Whetton. Subs: Meeson, Hewitt.
