A new era for the Glassgirls began today with Aid Clements managing his first competitive game against Wolves Women. There were just three faces from last season in the squad today with no fewer than 9 players making their debut whilst several others returned to the club following spells away. it was always going to be a tough test as Wolves have beaten us in every previous clash, including two 8-0 wins last term.

Wolves got the game underway at a sunny SEAH Stadium, formerly known as The New Bucks Head, and they would have their first opening inside two minutes as Anna Morphet took a freekick short to Amber Hughes who fired goalwards but couldn’t get her shot on target.

Tilly Fantom, who would be our player of the match, was booked soon after as she put in a crunching tackle on Tammi George who was looking to drive goalwards. Morphet would stand over the set piece again but Harriet Grimshaw made a good tackle at her near post to prevent them opening the scoring.

Our first chance came from a freekick after Katie Johnson put in a late challenge on Daisy Clements who was breaking down the wing, with Johnson receiving a yellow card for the tackle. Clearkin delivered a deep free kick into the Wolves box but Morphet was on hand to head clear.

Wolves would score a quick fire double just before the 15 minute mark with HUGHES heading home from Morphet’s corner before Charlotte GREENGRASS headed home from Jade Cross’ deep ball into the box.

Our attacks were largely coming from through balls but Bec Thomas was on hand to beat Rogers to the ball before Clements was fouled again only for Rosie Embley’s cross to be cleared eventually by George.

Some good last ditch defending from the Glassgirls kept the scores at 2-0 with Fantom preventing a quick counterattack before Meg Hadley prevented George from making it three from well inside the area.

Grimshaw, who was outstanding throughout the game, made a great save to deny George again before the rebound was lifted over the target after doing enough to make George put a shot well wide after being one v one with the attacker.

The final opening of the half fell to Leonie Joyce who received an excellent ball from Gwen Horgan but Wolves’ summer signing Abi Jenner was on hand to make a good challenge to prevent her getting a shot off.

Half Time: Wolves Women 2-0 Stourbridge FC

Aid turned to his bench at half time and made three changes with Joyce, Hill and Hadley being replaced by Grace Rogers, Chyna McIntosh and Seanna McCann-Lloyd, with the latter of the three making their debuts.

Clearkin was forced into a good block early doors as Hughes did well to play George in before Greengrasses headed goalwards from a cross but Grimshaw was there to save well from close range.

Abi Loydon played Greengrass through on goal but Fantom was on hand to shield it back to Grimshaw before we had a chance to counter but Mill Roger’s through ball was collected by Thomas before Clements could reach it.

Our fourth change just after the hour mark saw Jess Hood replace Mill Rogers.

Grimshaw made another good save to deny Beth Roberts before Greengrass fired over twice inside two minutes but we couldn’t deny them for long as GEORGE added Wolves’ third goal with a powerful strike from inside the area.

Wolves continued to press against our resilient defence with Erin Griffiths making an excellent challenge to prevent Roberts getting a shot off before Grimshaw collected George’s strike after she broke down the flank.

Our final change saw Lizzie Bennett-Steele replace Thea Clearkin with just over five minutes left on the clock.

Wolves would add their fourth and final goal of the afternoon in the 87th minute with substitute Ania DENHAM finishing well past Grimshaw after some excellent work from Josie Smith out wide.

Full Time: Wolves Women 4-0 Stourbridge FC Women

Wolves Women: 13 Bec Thomas, 3 Anna Morphet, 4 Summer Holmes, 7 Tammi George, 9 Jade Cross, 10 Abi Loydon, 11 Amber Hughes, 12 Charlotte Greengrass, 17 Katie Johnson, 22 Beth Roberts, 27 Abbi Jenner. Subs: 1. Maddie Elbro, 14 Martha MacPhail, 15 Layla Banaras, 18 Hannah Fryer, 20 Ania Denham, 23 Josie Smith, 25 Amelia Hiscox.

Stourbridge Women: 1 Harriet Grimshaw, 2 Erin Griffiths, 3 Meg Hadley, 5 Tilly Fantom, 6 Thea Clearkin, 7 Daisy Clements, 8 Phoebe Hill, 9 Leonie Joyce, 10 Gwen Horgan, 11 Mill Rogers, 16 Rosie Embley. Subs: 4 Chyna McIntosh, 12 Grace Rogers, 14 Liv Ashfield, 15 Jess Beddall, 17 Seanna McCann-LLoyd, 18 Lizzie Bennett-Steele, 19 Jess Hood