Wolves progressed into the quarter finals of the FAWNL Cup, after 235 supporters watched Dan McNamara’s side put seven past Durham Cestria on Sunday, with Amber Hughes’ hat-trick inspiring the victory.
It was the attacker who opened the scoring at a chilly Compton Park, and it took her just five minutes to do so. Anna Morphet’s corner led to a scramble in the box and Hughes used her predatory instincts to tap home from close range to open the scoring.
Wolves were having joy from set pieces, and after Megan Borthwick in the Cestria goal kept out a Destiney Toussaint header, the forward was given a second opportunity from the following corner and didn’t waste it, heading home
Inevitably, another Morphet corner led to Wolves’ third of the game 25 minutes in, as Hughes forcing the ball home to claim her brace, meaning the hosts enjoyed a comfortable lead at the interval.
Half-time | Wolves 3-0 Durham Cestria
It took Hughes second half four minutes to grab her hat-trick, as she received the ball in space and was able to turn and slot home confidently into the bottom corner. And it almost got better for Hughes soon after, as Merrick’s picture-perfect cross was headed inches over by the attacker.
Instead, it was left to substitute Maz Gauntlett to add the fifth, as a brilliant Toussaint ball was met by the forward’s head, and the goalkeeper had no chance, as Gauntlett made it five for the season.
Continuing on the substitute theme, Ali Miller got herself in on the act soon after. The 24-year-old created he goal herself, capitalising on a Durham mistake from their own free-kick by robbing possession, charging towards goal and producing the desired finish to make it six.
Then, with almost the final kick of the game, Maz Taho complete the scoring of another big win. Toussaint was the creator, delivering a cross in for the number 30, and although the goalkeeper tried to claw off her own line, the ball had already crossed the line.
REACTION
Manager Dan McNamara couldn’t have been happier with the girls’ performance, dubbing it the best performance he’s seen so far this season. “That was more than just a cup win,” said McNamara. “It was probably the finest performance of thew season.
“Durham are no mugs; they’re up there competing to try and get into tier three this year and I thought we blew them away in parts. In possession we were outstanding and out of possession we showed that real desire to keep a clean sheet, so I’m absolutely delighted for the girls, I thought they were fantastic and a quarter final to look forward to in the new year.”
On Hughes’ goal that set the tone
“It was a reward; I think the first five minutes we completely dominated, there were some great passages of play, and it was set up nice for Amber and she got off the mark really early and again she’s gone on to get another hat-trick, so fantastic for her.
“There was an array of scorers today. Destiney is trying to work her way back up to her fitness and she showed her quality today, both aerially and on the floor.
“Durham are a good side with a good set-up, so to come away with seven goals and a clean sheet is outstanding from the girls.”
On the girls’ decision making
“I think they coped really well; decision making wins and loses games, so I thought they were fantastic. There were some standout performances, but I think collectively, that was the most pleasing thing for me.
“Summer ran the game, and she dictated the whole of the play again, but I also said to the group that I think the five subs that came on, they really impacted the game. We scored a further four goals in the second half and obviously it’s great to see Perksy back on as the captain leading the group.”
On the threat Morphet brings from set pieces
“I’ve not seen many females that strike the ball like she does, she’s fantastic. I don’t think it’s just corners, I think it’s all the set pieces and even in her general play, she’s a real danger, so it’s great to have her on the pitch.
“Anna Morphet had a little niggle over the first half. It was a little precaution, so we got her off at half-time. We felt the game was probably over by then, so we didn’t want to risk her ahead of next week’s big occasion.”
On an exciting trip to Newcastle
“We’re really looking forward to it. We will head up there on the Saturday and watch England’s quarter-final at 7pm. This year with regards to the geography of the league, we haven’t had one of those away days, it’s not been required, but to spend the weekend with the girls will be fantastic and to prepare as professionally as we can.
“It’s a very exciting occasion. We want to progress in the FA Cup. I challenged the girls to be in all the competitions in January and that started with a tick in the box against Durham.
“Newcastle will be a whole new threat. They’re a huge club with huge funding and they want to take massive steps in the women’s game. They probably feel they deserve to be in the championship already from a couple of interviews I’ve read, but thankfully they’ve got to work their way up and that starts on Sunday.
“They (Newcastle) get an opportunity to test against a side who’s flying at the minute in tier three, so we’re looking forward to it.”
NEXT FIVE
- 11/12/2022 Newcastle (A) FA Cup third round
- 18/12/2022 Boldmere St Michaels (A) County Cup third round
- 08/01/2023 Liverpool Feds (H)
- 29/01/2023 Huddersfield (H)
- 05/02/2023 Loughborough (A)
TEAMS
Wolves | Thomas, Morphet (Price, 45), E.Cross, George (Dicken, 68), J.Cross (Miller, 55), Dermody, Hughes (Gauntlett, 55), Holmes, Johnson, Toussaint, Merrick (Taho, 68).
Durham Cestria | Borthwick, Knowles, Wilson, Richardson, Turnbull, Giles, Dale, Mackie, Winter, Burn, Bell.
