West Bromwich Albion Women (Warner 72) 1-1 Wolves Women (Greengrass 77) (4-2 on penalties)
Wolves Women were narrowly defeated in the Black Country derby following a penalty shootout loss against West Bromwich Albion, as the Old Gold’s Birmingham Challenge Cup campaign came to a close at the quarter-final stage on Sunday.
The hosts opened the scoring through Phoebe Warner before Charlotte Greengrass found the net for the fifth time against West Brom this season to level the scores. With the tie still even after 90 minutes, the Baggies progressed into the final four following a penalty shoot-out victory.
Dan McNamara made one change from the team that breezed past Shrewsbury Town in last weekend’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup tie as Charlotte Clarke replaced Bec Thomas in goal.
Tammi George was first to test Anna Miller, forcing her into an athletic save in the opening minutes.
The Old Gold had to be patient in the opening period and were without the ball for some time, but the Wolves backline was persistent in their defending duties.
Abbi Jenner was tested in various one-v-one situations during the first half, which she dealt with comfortably.
Despite having limited attacking chances, Jade Cross was presented with an opportunity to open the scoring. It was Beth Merrick’s strike that forced Miller into a low-save, before Cross’ attempt to score the follow up looked destined to hit the back of the net, but some last-gasp defending from the hosts denied the attempt.
Towards the end of the first half, McNamara’s side had their share of possession and started to control the tempo in a tense fixture.
In the final minute of normal time in the first half, Greengrass’ determination to press from the front earned her the opportunity on goal.
After the attempted clearance ricocheted off the number 12, she attempted to pass the ball past Miller, but her effort struck the post.
Half-time | West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Wolves Women
In a similar fashion to the first half, Wolves remained determined in their defending with Jenner, Anna Morphet and Katie Johnson all chipping in with vital interceptions and clearances to keep the score level.
The hosts then opened the scoring in the 72nd minute and it was Warner’s effort that found the top corner to break the deadlock.
Just a few minutes later Wolves were level, after a neatly worked team move between Johnson and Destiney Toussaint resulted in Greengrass stabbing the ball into the bottom corner.
In the final 10 minutes, substitute Racheal Quigley was inches away from connecting on the end of an inviting Toussaint cross. The momentum had switched in favour of Wolves and the visitors were knocking on the door for a winner.
In a tight contest, the game was level at full-time, meaning it was to be decided through penalty kicks.
Greengrass and Johnson were successful from the spot, but Morphet and Quigley saw their strikes palmed away, while the Baggies scored all four of their spot kicks to progress.
Full-time | West Bromwich 1-1 Wolves Women (West Brom win 4-2 on penalties)
LINEUPS
West Bromwich Albion | Miller, Brown, Reynolds, Green, George, Orthodoxou, Watkins, Warner, May, Miller (Rhodes 82), Oakley (Jhamat 90).
Subs not used | Rabjohn, Oliver, Haughey.
Wolves | Clarke, Morphet, George (Loydon 63), J. Cross (Denham 63) , Greengrass, Johnson, Anderson, Toussaint, Roberts, Jenner, Merrick (Quigley 53).
Subs not used | Fryer, Hiscox.
NEXT UP
Wolves Women return to action in 2025 as they travel to face Cheltenham Town in the fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup on Sunday 12th January.
Report by Thomas Gibson
