Albion Women were narrowly defeated 2-0 by FAWNL Northern Premier high-flyers Nottingham Forest at the Valley Stadium on Sunday.
Though the Baggies had their moments in the game, strikes from Melissa Johnson and Mollie Green eventually edged out the home side.
Albion are back in action next Sunday when they host Sutton Coldfield Ladies in the Birmingham County FA Challenge Cup second-round.
Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made several changes to the side that secured progression in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup last weekend at Knowle. Ash Brown, Seren Watkins, Liv Rabjohn, Ali Miller, and Ellie May were all restored to the XI.
The game opened in tight fashion, but the visitors eventually showed their quality as Johnson rolled into the bottom corner from the edge of the area 15 minutes in. Baggies goalkeeper Anna Miller was then called into action just moments later, getting down well to palm away a Green free-kick.
Albion soon got into their stride though, as Miller flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal, evading the onrushing Simran Jhamat and May. Phoebe Warner also broke through the Forest defence but was thwarted by Forest goalkeeper Emily Batty.
Warner again pushed the Forest high-line in the second half and poked towards goal, only for captain Lyndsey Harkin to steer the effort away from the visitor’s goalmouth.
Despite the Baggies' efforts, Green planted a late free-kick into the top corner of Miller’s goal to add a second and leave the industrious hosts empty-handed.
Albion Women: Miller; Brown, Reynolds, Green, George; Watkins, Rabjohn; Miller (Rhodes 69’), Jhamat (Mahmood 83’), Warner; May.
Substitutes: Oakley, Harris, Haughey, Evans.
