With a convincing victory over Stourbridge, Wolves maintained their perfect start to the 2023–24 National League Northern Premier Division campaign.
Before the game began, Kelly Darby announced her retirement from playing and was given a framed shirt on the field.
Immediately after the game began, Beth Roberts did well to sprint down the left wing and whip in a dangerous cross that almost found Destiney Toussaint at the near post. This was the first home game of the season.
A little while later, Olivia Fergusson sprinted down the right side before delivering another superb cross that was just waiting for a Wolves touch.
Then Toussaint had a great chance, but Stourbridge goalkeeper Libby Hart made a wonderful save.
It appeared like Hart struck a Wolves player in the box as she attempted to grab a ball in the air as Wolves increased their pressure, but referee Nigel Bamford overruled calls for a penalty.
After 30 minutes, Wolves finally took the lead when Beth Merrick’s long-range attempt was stopped by Hart, but Anna Morphet scored on the rebound. Andy Fisher, the manager of Stourbridge, was later dismissed for his protests that Morphet was offside.
The home team kept up their superiority, and when Merrick’s precise cross found Morphet, her header glanced off the post.
The following corner provided Ellie Wilson with a free header, which she put over the crossbar.
When Sophie Levick received a red card, Stourbridge’s frustration reached a breaking point. Toussaint and a Stourbridge player got into a fight off the field, which led to an unprovoked close-range kick from Levick that Toussaint took full advantage of.
Then, with a player advantage and a goal advantage, Wolves went into halftime.
Fergusson nearly made it 2-0 at the start of the second half with a long range shot that hit the goal.
Wolves’ commanding performance had the 646 spectators at the New Bucks Head entertained as they searched for a second goal.
After 64 minutes, Tammi George successfully finished it off with a beautiful attempt into the far corner.
As both teams made substitutions, the game cooled down and lacked many scoring possibilities, but Wolves made good use of their additional player and spent the bulk of the game in Stourbridge’s half.
After 84 minutes, Amber Hughes scored the third goal when she scooped up the ball on the edge of the box with her back to the goal, turned, and finished deftly in the bottom corner.
Stourbridge, who had just been promoted, was holding on as Wolves attempted to add a fourth goal, and Hughes almost scored after a corner.
Final score: 3-0. Wolves easily controlled the game after putting up a commanding performance.
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