Match Report
West Bromwich Albion – Sunday 17th September 2023 – 2pm KO
By Cameron Felton
Disappointment on the road for Town as they fall to defeat at The Hawthorns this afternoon.
It would be a disappointing afternoon for The Terries as they fell to defeat at The Hawthorns by 4 goals to 1 leaguing them languishing in the bottom 2 after the 5th round of fixtures.
New signing Imogen Maguire started between the sticks for Town as Glen Preston made 2 changes to the side beaten last weekend by high flying Burnley, Conway making way for Maguire, Beth Stanfield misses out after picking up a knock last weekend so Scarlett McMahon came into the side as Britt Sanderson also misses out through injury.
Town started positively and looked to press Albion but it would be the hosts to take the lead inside 5 minutes as a finely struck free kick from Hannah George has too much power for Maguire in the Town goal and nestles into the back of the net.
The Terries looked to get back into the game but unable to create a chance for themselves and ten minutes before the break the hosts doubled their lead as a Hannah George digs out a cross which isn’t dealt with by the Town defence and the balls bundled home by Simran Jhamat from close range.
Albion could’ve had a third from the spot after the match referee pointed to the spot after Mariam Mahmood fell over her own feet and Beth Ibbotson was adjudged to have fouled her, Ibbotson picking up a yellow card for her protests, Debutant Imogen Maguire would make herself big and get down low to keep out Hannah George from the spot.
Controversy just before the break as Beth Ibbotson would be given her marching orders as the referee deemed asking a question to be a second bookable offence.
We’d get one back on the stroke of the hour as Feiruz Abdullahi powered forward before weaving her way in and out the defence before firing home to halve the deficit to one.
Hannah George would once again find her way onto the score sheet as her shot from the edge of the box ricochet’s off a Town defender into the back of Maguires goal as she stands helplessly.
Albion sealed the victory as Janelle Straker would fire home from 25 yards after 70 minutes and put the game beyond Town reach.
There would be more drama after the game as the match officials left the field of play there was an altercation leading to Glen Preston receiving a straight red card after the referee made a gesture towards the Town management and players.
Town are in action next weekend as we welcome Derby County to The Stafflex Arena with a 2pm kick-off.
