The Wolverhampton girls had finished third in the Autumn League before Christmas and were determined to improve their position in the new Spring competition which began this evening in freezing conditions at Bodymoor Heath.This wouldn't be easy of course as competition is fierce in the Premier division and our task wasn't made any easier with Poppy,Rosie, Issy, Aiofe, and Elyssia all unavailable. Nevertheless, our new look squad,reduced to just six players and no recognised goal keeper rose to the challenge after a disappointing start and did us proud.Our
only defeat all evening was against newly promoted Erdington in our opening game and despite losing 1-0 the game could have gone either way. In fact Meg twice went close to finding the net and if VAR had been in operation we would almost certainly have gained at least a point because the referee was one of the few people watching the contest who didn't think Layla's shot had crossed the line before it was scrambled clear.
After losing to potentially the weakest team in the group we then went out and defeated North Shropshire who had won both competitions this season. The team worked hard and defended superbly and our opponents had no answer. Shayla playing the second game in goal was relatively untroubled and Layla eventually broke the deadlock for a deserved 1-0 victory after she had seen three previous efforts go agonisingly close. Walsall did grab a 1-1 draw with virtually the last kick of the match but again our overall performance was good and we looked to be heading for another deserved victory once Shayla and Clara had turned defence into attack and created the opportunity for Layla to shoot past the advancing keeper.
Layla went in goal for the last group game of the evening against South Staffs with Shayla joining the attack, and along with Megan, she went close to giving us the lead before we eventually went in front with an excellent team goal.Megan began the move by putting Clara clear and her pass to Shayla was so accurate that our 'new' striker was able to score the goal which enables us to top the table at the half way stage with seven points from our four matches.
Squad : Shayla, Megan, Alarna, Layla, Amber, and Clara.
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