First defeat of 2017 for Albion Women

Albion's five game unbeaten run in the league came to an end after a disappointing 4-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough Ladies.

 

The Baggies were forced to switch their game to a 3G pitch at the Wolverhampton University (Walsall Campus) following a postponement at their normal home of Rushall Olympic FC.

 

Yet the change had little effect on Albion who came storming out of the blocks as early as the first minute when Cottam's curling shot from just outside the box sailed inches over the bar.

 

Dugmore came even closer for the Baggies when her right-footed effort from a tight-angle was somehow headed off the line by Middlesbrough defender Foster.

 

And Albion's Cottam was a whisker away from breaking the deadlock when after superb skill inside the box, her clipped shot from close-range came back off the post before being cleared away to safety.

 

The closest Boro came was when Owen's effort from distance drifted well wide of Thomas' far post. 

 

Craig Nicholls side kept up the momentum and at the start of the Second half should have gone ahead, but Darby's effort was once again cleared off the line by a Boro defender.

 

But the pendulum completely swung around in the 58th minute when Hallbrook poked home from just six-yards out to give Boro the lead.

 

Owens then fired in a sweet strike from 30-yards out to double the visitors advantage before Millie Bell finished off a classic counter attack as a shell-shocked Albion failed to recover.

 

In the 89th minute, the final nail in the coffin was delivered when Owens ghosted past two defenders before slotting home past Thomas to condemn the Baggies miserable afternoon.

 

But Head Coach Craig Nicholls said there were positives to take from the defeat.

 

"We've created lots of chances in both halves against a good side.

 

"But we just could not score and they were much more ruthless in front of goal on the day.

 

"Hopefully we will learn from this and see how our togetherness wins games, the key thing is we can still achieve things this season."

 

Albion Ladies travel to Rugby Town Ladies FC in the Birmingham FA County Cup Quarter-Final next Sunday 5th March 2017 (ko 2pm).

 

For more information on West Bromwich Albion FC Women you can follow them on Twitter.