Wolves 6 (Merrick 3, Hughes 8, Greengrass 59, Quigley 84, 86, Denham 90+2) Halifax 0
Wolves Women moved to the summit of the league table following a dominant display against Halifax on Sunday afternoon.
Dan McNamara’s team responded perfectly to last week’s Plate exit against Cheltenham Town, convincingly earning the three points thanks to goals from Beth Merrick, Amber Hughes, Charlotte Greengrass, a Racheal Quigley brace and Ania Denham’s strike.
The home side started as they meant to go on, and found themselves 1-0 up after Hughes won the ball high in the attacking third, before her cross was perfect for Merrick who slotted the ball home.
Inside the opening 10 minutes, Wolves were two to the good when Hughes turned from provider to goal scorer. Greengrass lost her marker and played a delicate pass through to Hughes and she found the back of the net for the 10th time this season.
Wolves continued to search for more goals and played some incredible football, but couldn’t quite find that final touch, as Hughes and Destiney Toussaint both tested Jamie-Lee Bamford in goal with their headed efforts, before Tammi George stung the palms of the goalkeeper five minutes before the break with a ferocious half-volley from close range.
Half-time | Wolves 2-0 Halifax
After the interval, Halifax attempted to get back into the game through Minnie Wilson, but her half volley was far wide of Bec Thomas’ goal.
Hughes was inches away from securing her second of the afternoon when she broke free inside the area, however her lobbed attempt hit the underside of the crossbar but didn’t go over the white line.
McNamara's side then scored a third through a Greengrass header, as Anna Morphet’s deep cross found the in-form striker who picked out the top corner.
Substitute Quigley got in on the act, scoring her first two goals in Old Gold in quick succession. The Australian was found at the back post from a deep cross and her header from close range found the top corner - a mirror of Greengrass’ header from earlier in the match.
Quigley’s second goal came through some brilliant close-knit passing inside the area and with a yard of space that she had created for herself, she unleashed a strike on goal which was too quick for Bamford and Wolves had five.
Wolves had the game wrapped up, but Denham extended the lead and after scoring for Wales WU19’s against Portugal just two days ago, she hit the roof of the net with a powerful half-volley from inside the area.
Wolves were worthy winners of the game and will now prepare to face Asfordby Amateurs in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup next Sunday.
Full-time | Wolves 6-0 Halifax
LINEUPS
Wolves | Thomas, Morphet, George (Loydon 76), Hughes (Quigley 76), Greengrass (J. Cross 82), Johnson, Anderson, Toussaint, Roberts (Banaras 76), Jenner, Merrick (Denham 82).
Subs not used | Clarke, Fryer.
Halifax | Bamford, Salisbury-Williams, Walsh, Nuttall, Wilson, Cardenas, Fisher, Harrison, Evans (Franks 81), Stout (Melrose 56), Limbert (Armson 73).
NEXT FIVE
03/11/2024 Asfordby Amateurs (A) Adobe Women’s FA Cup
10/11/2024 Liverpool Feds (A) FAWNL Northern Premier Division
17/11/2024 Stourbridge (A) FAWNL Northern Premier Division
15/12/2024 Derby (H) FAWNL Northern Premier Division
05/01/2025 Nottingham Forest (A) FAWNL Northern Premier Division
Report by Thomas Gibson
