Willenhall Town 3                Wolverhampton United 1

Riley 56,89

Kinsis 90

Willenhall without the influential Helen Crozier in their line-up struggled through to the next round of the Birmingham County Cup with a battling 3-1 over their neighbours Wolverhampton United. The visitors included 6 ex-Wolves Women players in the squad and they gave us a very tough game.

Sherrylee Boon held the backline together early on as United put the reds under severe pressure, but failed to test Lizzie Plant in the home goal on numerous occasions when the chances arose.

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The lively Abi Riley was in the thick of all the action and she had Willenhall's first chance on 15 minutes, firing wide of the target after being put under pressure from the Wolves defence.

Wolves had couple of chances in the 19th minute but they were wasted. Abi Riley again broke free from the visiting defence, unfortunately toe-poking her shot wide as the defenders were about to put in a challenge.

Rachel Kinsis free-kick was headed goal wards but the Wolves keeper managed to grasp the ball at the second attempt after fumbling close to the goal-line.

Abi Riley again ran clear of the defence just before half-time, but the keeper raced out and gathered the ball before she could get a shot in.

After struggling to find their rhythm in the first half, the reds started off the second period a lot brighter and on 49 minutes Abi Riley, but fired straight at the keeper when well placed.

Willenhall's hardworking captain Lauren Jones made herself an opening on 51 minutes, but she undid all her tremendous work by shooting wide.

Wolves against the run of play took the lead on 53 minutes  with a low shot passed Lizzie Plant into the bottom corner of the net. Their joy was short lived as Willenhall responded in positive fashion when Abi Riley finally found the back of the net on 56 minutes, unleashing a powerful shot in the net after breaking clear of the defence.

Wolves heads soon dropped and although they had a couple of decent chances could not test keeper Lizzie Plant.

Willenhall should have taken the lead on 64 minutes Abi Riley firing wide from some good build up play. Maxine Wren replaced the tiring Nikki Crutchley on 65 minutes and she gave the reds some much needed  energy on the pitch.

Abi Riley came close again on 70 minutes but the Wolves keeper managed to block the effort. Jo Byrne almost put Maxine Wren through on 75 minutes, but the keeper claimed and on 83 minutes Willenhall's tenacious midfielder Lauren Jones had a shot saved.

Rachel Kinsis then set up Abi Riley on 86 minutes, but the keeper reacted quickest to the situation as most her colleagues began to tire and Willenhall made them pay by taking the lead in the 89th minute when Abi Riley slotted home her 13th goal of the season. 

Willenhall then made sure of the victory & a place in the next round as the scintillating Rachel Kinsis lofted the ball over the keeper after a stunning pass from Jo Byrne.

Willenhall Line-Up.

Lizzie Plant, Di Baker, Stacey Parkes, Becky Yeates, Sheerylee Boon, Rachel Knisis, Jo Byrne, Lauren Jones (c), Tracey Culloty, Nikki Crutchley, Abi Riley

Star Red:  Lauren Jones