Albion Women head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still believes “fine margins” prevented her team from taking a share of the points from their recent 2-1 defeat to Stoke City on Sunday.
The Baggies roared out of the blocks in the FA WNL Northern Premier Division clash and scored the opener at the bet365 Stadium after 10 minutes through Delphi Cole.
Unfortunately, it was the Potters who went on to secure victory in Staffordshire as they turned things around before the interval with the two strikes – leaving the visitors and boss Hodgetts-Still frustrated.
She said: “We did well in large parts of the game. In the first 25 minutes of both halves, we were excellent and deserved more from it.
“We created chances and just didn’t take them. We did really well but we’ve got to be clinical and take our chances.
“I was obviously disappointed and frustrated but I think we have to hold our hands up and give Stoke City credit as well. They did well, they got back into the game and scored two good goals.
“There were quite a few chances for us. It was the quality of the shot, it was the final decision in the attacking third.
“Those are the fine margins, we missed the penalty. We should have had a couple more that were in and around the box and didn’t get given to us.
“If they go in, it's a different story and it's a different game. We'll get back in training this week and, you know, prepare for our final game of the season against Newcastle.”
The Baggies fared well throughout a physical encounter, hitting the crossbar and missing a penalty as Hodgetts-Still’s side gave everything to find an equaliser.
She said: “I think for the neutrals it was a really good game, back and forth, and it wouldn't have been a boring game to watch.
“Credit to them, they got the goal and were clinical in and around the box and you know, they got three points. I think we've prepped for bigger pitches this season, we've played at Burnley, The Hawthorns and against Wolves at the Molineux.”
Albion Women will play their final game of the 2023/24 season against Newcastle United at the Valley Stadium on Sunday, May 5, and the Baggies boss is looking forward to pushing her team against a strong opponent as they look to end the campaign on a high.
Hodgetts-Still said: “Like every game, we'll prepare well and give it everything against Newcastle.
“The last time we played them at their place we did really well, out-of-possession we were excellent. They scored in the 87th minute.
“Hopefully, we'll look at frustrating them again in a couple of weeks and see what we can get out of the game.”
