Albion Women were beaten 3-1 by Derby County in front of 600 Baggies fans at The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon.
After going two-goals down, Mariam Mahmood grabbed her first league goal of the campaign to try and spark a fightback, however the visitors netted late to ensure they avenged their 2-0 defeat last season.
We achieve more, together. 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/CM8etmtVyM
— West Bromwich Albion Women (@WBAWomen) November 6, 2022
Head Coach Jenny Sugarman made two changes from the win in the FAWNL Plate against Leek Town as Mahmood was brought in for her first league start and Phoebe Warner returned to midfield.
The Baggies started brightly, but Hannah George, Phoebe Warner and Shannon Stamps couldn’t convert early chances before Derby started to turn the tide.
Albion goalkeeper Charlotte Clarke pulled off a remarkable save from Emily Joyce’s half-volley and then denied Amy Simms at close-range around the 30-minute mark.
But she could do nothing to deny Simms’ poke shortly ahead of the break, and the Ewe Rams doubled their lead soon after half-time through Jess Camwell’s composed finish.
Mahmood quickly hauled the Baggies back into it, rounding Derby’s goalkeeper and slotting home, setting up an exciting final 38 minutes.
Sugarman attempted to complete the comeback by bringing on Kate Evans, Kerry Walklett, Lucy Newell and, later, Jannelle Straker.
And her side threw everything at their opponents, George firing the best opportunity off-target, yet were undone during the final stages when Ewe Rams substitute Kira Rai secured her side the points.
Thank you to all the Baggies fans who came down to cheer on the team at The Hawthorns yesterday! 👏
— West Bromwich Albion Women (@WBAWomen) November 7, 2022
Your support was brilliant 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/sLvQk5jNU7
Speaking after the match, Sugarman said: We spoke in the week about what success would mean today.
“Obviously, we wanted to win the game - and we’re not as happy with the performance as we’d like to have been - but we also want to inspire the next generation of Baggies supporters and young players.
“The time the players spent with them at the end is vital for us as a team and the game as a whole.”
Albion Women: Clarke, Brown, George (C), Green, Crackle (80 Straker), Davies (Newell 56), Tudor (Evans 56),Loydon (Walklett 56), Stamps, Warner, Mahmood.
Substitutes: Haydn-Jones.