Albion Women extended their unbeaten run in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division to four games with a 1-0 victory over Halifax on Sunday afternoon.
Delphi Cole’s effort was enough to secure a narrow triumph at the Valley Stadium – her second goal in four days.
The triumph lifts the Baggies up to fifth in the standings, climbing above Liverpool Feds and rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still made three alterations from the XI that beat Stourbridge 4-0 on Thursday evening.
A change in system meant Lucy Newell was restored to the line-up in place of Simran Jhamat, Kate Evans replaced Abi Loydon at the heart of the Baggies’ midfield and Mariam Mahmood was preferred to Phoebe Warner out wide.
Albion took the lead within the first 10 minutes. Newell’s cross fell into the path of Olivia Rabjohn, who showed great composure to square the ball to Delphi Cole who unleashed a low effort on the half volley into the bottom-right corner.
Mahmood then looked to turn the screw for a Baggies second. She crossed towards the back post and Rabjohn came steaming in, but, unfortunately, couldn’t get enough of a connection to trouble the visiting stopper.
Forward Mahmood, enjoying her first start since the beginning of the month came close just minutes later. She squared up her marker before jinking inside and letting fly, only to see her chance blocked by captain Shauna Legge just in front of the Halifax goalmouth.
Rabjohn’s corner caused issues for the visiting defenders moments after. Her cross fell to Mahmood who drilled an effort along the floor before Evans lashed towards goal, only for a late Halifax block to deny Albion a second.
Just after the break, the Baggies sought to finally make one of their dangerous set-pieces count. Cole swung a foot at a goal-bound header from Evans, but goalkeeper Becky Flaherty threw a hand towards it to save.
Albion’s solid defensive display until the end of the game ensured the visitors went back to Yorkshire empty-handed with the Baggies gliding towards another three points.
Hodgetts-Still’s side have a huge test on Friday, March 22 when they travel to the Molineux for a Black Country Derby against Wolves Women.
Albion: Miller, Reynolds, Reavill, Newell, Brown (Warner 78’), Orthodoxou (Loydon 70’), Evans, George, Rabjohn, Mahmood, Cole (Jhamat 70’).
Substitutes: Jones, Crackle.
