It was yet another cup game for Wolves Women, this time welcoming tier 4 side Durham Cestria to the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground for an FAWNL Cup second round tie. Wolves had never before faced Durham as the side was formed just 15 years ago.
This season, Durham Cestria sit at top of their league, one division below Wolves, with six wins, two draws and one loss. In the previous round of the cup, goals from Jordan Atkinson, Poppy Pritchard and Leanna Giles were enough to see off Merseyrail – with the game finishing 3-2.
TEAM NEWS
Dan McNamara made just one change to the team that started in Wolves’ 5-0 victory against Northampton Town on Sunday, with Bec Thomas starting in goal ahead of Shan Turner.
Wolves XI: Thomas, Morphet, E.Cross, George, J.Cross, Dermody, Hughes (Dicken 90’), Holmes, Johnson, Toussaint, Merrick.
Substitutes: Price, Gauntlett, Dicken, Miller, Taho .
FIRST HALF
Wolves came out as winners on a very cold Sunday afternoon in Compton, with goals coming from Amber Hughes (x3), Destiney Toussaint, Maz Gauntlett, Alisha Miller and Marianne Taho.
Wolves started the game strong, with a large proportion of possession being in their favour. Both Amber Hughes and Destiney Toussaint came close within a matter of minutes. Hughes’ efforts were rewarded not long after as she managed to get onto the end of a ball – travelling in from the right hand side – netting her 14th goal of the season.
The pace of Wolves’ attack very much continued as the game progressed, with Toussaint coming close again. The majority of opportunities came from the right hand side, with Katie Johnson linking up perfectly with the attackers. Wolves’ next two goals – which were almost identical – both came from corners sent in by Anna Morphet, the first scored by Toussaint and the second by Hughes.
Durham created a moment of pressure, as they sent the ball towards Ellen Turnbull, however Thomas read the situation perfectly and came out to collect. A long range shot from Tammi George brought the first half action to a close, with the girls in gold and black dominating play throughout.
SECOND HALF
Dan McNamara made one half time substitution – with Morphet making way for club captain Anna Price. The girls very much started the second half just as they finished the first, as Amber Hughes scored, completing her hattrick, just 4 minutes into play.
Helen Dermody’s long range effort was just inches away from reaching the net, as it skidded over the bar. A well worked team attack was the next attempt to narrowly miss the face of goal. Two substitutions made a whole world of difference, both Maz Gauntlett and Ali Miller made an instant impact off the bench.
This time Toussaint was the provider rather than the finisher, after just ten minutes on the pitch Maz had got the ball into the back of the net, giving us a four goal advantage. Miller came close, a matter of minutes later, however the goalkeeper was able to collect just in time.
Referee Ryan Dobson awarded Durham Cestria a free kick inside their own half, which they directed straight to Wolves striker Amy Dicken, which she quickly released to Miller who fired it past the keeper and into the bottom corner.
Wolves’ final goal of the game came a matter of seconds before the final whistle, this time it was substitute Marianne Taho who managed to take the ball past two defenders, and sent the ball into the bottom corner.
FINALS SCORE WOLVES 7-0 DURHAM CESTRIA
The draw for the next round of the cup will take place during the days to come – Wolves’ opponents will be either Burnley, Nottingham Forest or Huddersfield Town.
ARTICLE BY JESS DEAKIN
My name is Jess Deakin, I’m 15 years old, and have been a season ticket holder at wolves for 7 years. For the last 4 seasons, I’ve been following Wolves Women which is where my passion for women’s football began.