Wolves 3 (Merrick 5 Hughes 15 Sims 85) Halifax 0
Wolves Women rounded off an outstanding FAWNL campaign with a comfortable victory over Halifax Women at the SEAH Stadium to set up a play-off final with Plymouth Argyle.
First-half goals from Beth Merrick and Amber Hughes set the hosts on their way, before Amy Sims added to the scoresheet five minutes from time.
The Old Gold did all they could on the final day, knowing if they bettered Burnley’s result, Dan McNamara’s side would be crowned champions.
The hosts were strong out the blocks and broke the deadlock after five minutes. Charlotte Greengrass flicked on a long ball into Merrick’s path, who did excellent to round the keeper and slot home into an unguarded net.
Greengrass came close to doubling the hosts’ lead just moments later when she connected with Beth Roberts’ excellent delivery, only to watch her glancing effort miss the mark.
The visitors posed a threat on the break, with Dolcie O’Connor flashing two efforts goalwards. First, blazing a volley over Alex Brooks’ crossbar, before testing the Wolves shot-stopper’s gloves with a free-kick.
Wolves soon settled any potential nerves and doubled their lead after 15 minutes. Greengrass played Hughes through on goal, and after her initial effort was saved, the Wolves forward would not be denied a second time, rifling into the bottom corner.
The home side continued to mount pressure on the Halifax goal, and had good chances to add to their advantage before the break. Hughes had the ball in the back of the net after latching onto Merrick’s neat dink, but the offside flag denied the third goal.
Half-Time | Wolves 2-0 Halifax
Wolves emerged with the same intent and tested Maddie Crosbie from the off. Louanne Worsey received the ball on the right flank before pulling a cross back for Hughes to take in her stride and shoot, but her fierce effort was denied.
Hughes had a golden opportunity to rectify her miss earlier in the half. This time she went through one-on-one with Crosbie, but the Wolves forward dragged her effort wide of the far post.
Halifax - fighting for survival in the league themselves - continued to pose a threat throughout the afternoon, with O’Connor the focal outlet. However, McNamara’s side refused to let their defensive discipline slip.
Instead, Wolves were hungry for more, and substitute Sims extended the lead to three with five minutes remaining. Tammi George surged into the Halifax penalty area and slid a ball across goal, where Sims arrived before Crosbie to steer home.
Despite a phenomenal FAWNL campaign, Wolves were forced to settle for second and a play-off game against Plymouth Argyle Women, in contention for promotion to WSL 2.
Full-Time | Wolves 3-0 Halifax
LINEUPS
Wolves | Brooks, Harkin, Morphet, Marshall (Jenner 58), George, Hughes (Johnson 74), Greengrass (Quigley 69), Anderson, Roberts, Merrick (Sims 58), Worsey (Howe 69).
Unused Subs | Loydon, Williams.
Halifax | Crosbie, Cass, Phillips, Shaw, Davies, Burke (Limbert 52), Robinson (Taylor 58), Ashton (Corbishley 69), Doyle, O’Connor, Hollin.
Unused Subs | Crompton, Horner.