Cheltenham Town 0 Wolves 2 (Hughes 62, Merrick 71)
Wolves Women progressed into the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup following a dominant performance against Cheltenham Town Ladies on Sunday.
Amber Hughes and Beth Merrick scored the goals in the second half, as Dan McNamara’s side made it to the last 16 of the competition for the second successive season.
It was a dominant opening 30 minutes for the Old Gold as they held possession of the ball and had plenty of shots on target.
Becky Anderson gave Amber Hughes a golden opportunity to put the visitors ahead as she chipped the ball over to Hughes’ feet before she took a powerful shot that Mia Smith tipped over the top of the bar.
The home side came alive suddenly as Henna Butcher had a long run with the ball, but Bec Thomas had everything under control in the Wolves goal.
The game was close and the scoreline reflected that with neither team scoring, however Wolves had the better of the chances in the opening 45.
Half-time | Cheltenham Town 0-0 Wolves
Instantly after the break, Charlotte Greengrass almost put Wolves in front as she volleyed the ball 12 yards away from goal, however her effort wasn’t powerful enough as Smith denied her attempt.
Cheltenham reacted quickly on the counter attack, but Thomas was there to clear the ball in a calm manner as she was left in a one v one situation against Una Lue.
Wolves were eager to score and proved it as Merrick made a tremendous run with the ball before playing it to Hughes who struck the ball with such force from distance and into the back of the net to McNamara’s side ahead.
The Old Gold came close to scoring a second immediately after receiving a free-kick. Merrick stepped forward to the 18-yard box, but fired her effort over the wall and crossbar.
However, Merrick got her name on the scoresheet as she struck the ball forcefully from just outside the box straight past Smith to double the Old Gold’s lead.
Wolves hunted for a third as Destiney Toussaint raced down the wing and crossed the ball into the box hoping for Greengrass to seal it, however she flicked the ball out for a goal kick.
Wolves had one more chance to make it three as Greengrass was clattered by Lilly Wellesley-Davies who was shown a yellow card. Anderson took the resulting free-kick, but Smith denied her shot.
After a dominant performance, Wolves secured the win and progressed into the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup ahead of returning back to league action as they face Stourbridge Women next week.
Full-time | Cheltenham Town 0-2 Wolves
LINEUPS
Cheltenham Town | Smith, Trinci, Finch (Wellesley-Davies 86) (Morgan-Hemmens 89), Collis, Attenborough (Pemberton 67), Bell, Butcher, Llewellyn, Owen, Greenwood, Lue.
Subs not used | Pugh-Jones, Morgan, Dowling.
Wolves | Thomas, Morphet, George, Hughes (Denham 94), Greengrass (Quigley 90), Johnson, Anderson, Toussaint (J. Cross 78), Roberts, Smith, Merrick (Hiscox 78).
Subs not used | Clarke, E. Cross, Loydon, Holmes, MacPhail.
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Report by Scarlett Lester
