Wolves claim derby day spoils over rivals West Brom
Bragging rights went the way of Wolves as they saw off Albion thanks to a lightning first half.
Dan McNamara’s side ran out 3-1 winners at Albion’s Valley Stadium home, in Redditch, where the damage was largely done with two first-half goals.
Albion had kept the visitors at bay, though Anna Morphet’s stunning free-kick crashed off the crossbar on half hour, but two goals in five minutes before the break undid Siobhan Hodgetts-Still’s Baggies.
Sophie Bramford tapped home a simple finish after excellent play on the wing from Morphet.
And Liv Fergusson made it two on the stroke of half-time with a stunning volley from range.
The hosts reduced the deficit just eight minutes into the second half through Delphi Cole but Wolves sealed the points in the derby with five minutes left as Tammi George swept in a low cross from the left.
The result puts Wolves third in the Northern Premier Division with a fifth win from seven and trail Burnley and Newcastle. Albion are 10th from the 12-team division after two wins this term.
McNamara has bolstered his ranks with the short-term signing of former Everton and Liverpool midfielder Brooke Cairns, 20, after she was released by West Ham. Cairns made her debut as a late substitute on Sunday.
Wolves, meanwhile, have drawn league rivals Stourbridge in the first round of the FA Cup.
Albion welcome Lye Town at the round one stage. Sporting Khalsa host Crewe Alexandra.
Ties will take place on Sunday, November 12. Winners will receive £6,000.
Stourbridge had Kelsey Richardson’s wonderful stoppage time free-kick to thank for a crucial point on the road at fellow mid-table side Liverpool Feds.
Mike Harris’ Glassgirls looked like taking nothing from Merseyside after Paige Cole’s eighth-minute opener following a neat move.
Stourbridge, in eight, trail Liverpool Feds by two points directly above them.
Villa are yet to register a point in the Women’s Super League and remain second-bottom with four defeats from four after a 4-2 home defeat to third-placed Tottenham.
Last season’s top scorer Rachel Daly put Villa ahead with a five-minute penalty but Martha Thomas was the visitors’ hero with a fine hat-trick, with Ashleigh Neville’s crucial effort to make it 2-1 Spurs coming in first-half added time.
Lucy Parker netted a late consolation for Carly Ward’s Villa.
Midland Division One outfit Sporting Khalsa booked their place in the first first round proper of the FA Cup with a 7-1 drubbing of lower-ranked Kidderminster Harriers. Laura Smith fired a brace for Andrew Milligan’s Khalsa, while there was also a goal for Leonie Joyce on her debut.
Walsall were on the wrong side of a 5-2 home defeat to Leek Town at Dales Lane in West Midlands Division One North.
Lauren Hoyle scored for Walsall, as did Maicie Golding, but the latter’s proved just a late consolation against the Staffordshire visitors.
Rock-bottom strugglers Darlaston Town’s home clash with AFC Telford United fell foul to the adverse weather conditions over the weekend.
