West Brom Women boss plots route to Black Country Derby success in last-eight clash
Albion Women boss Siobhan Hodgetts-Still reckons her side can go toe-to-toe with Wolves in Sunday's Black Country Derby if they can cut out the individual errors.
The Baggies head to Wolves' New Bucks Head home in Telford on Sunday (2pm kick-off) for a last eight tie in the National League Cup.
The two sides did battle at Albion's Alexander Stadium home in Perry Barr shortly before Christmas where league rivals and visitors Wolves ran out 3-0 winners thanks mainly to two soft early goals, after which Hodgetts-Still side competed well.
"We know the Wolves games are always competitive," said Hodgetts-Still.
"They have recruited well last summer and are doing well in the league.
"We played them before Christmas and we did well for 70 minutes. There were some errors, individual errors, which cost us.
"So as a group we know what we need to improve on. We did well against them in the cup last time, so you never know what is going to happen."
The Baggies head into the clash having given a good account of themselves in a high-profile WFA Cup tie against top flight Everton last week, which eventually finished 5-0 to the Toffees.
Hodgetts-Still's side returned to winning ways on Wednesday night with a 1-0 win in the Birmingham FA Challenge Cup, the competition they won last April.
The holders saw off Leafield Athletic thanks to forward Rhianne Oakley's third goal of the season. Albion were made to be patient in their hunt for progress and Oakley netted a late winner to reach the last four.
Hodgetts-Still felt the Baggies could have done more against Leafield of the division below.
“I’m frustrated with that performance but delighted that we got through to the next round," added the boss. "Performance-wise, in the first half, it wasn’t good enough.
“What we want from a West Brom team and how we want to play, that first half wasn’t good enough. In the second-half, it improved, and you saw that with the chances that we created.
"There will be a changed mindset and we’re looking forward to the Wolves game on Sunday and hopefully we can progress to the next round of the cup."
Unbeaten Wolves are top of the National Northern Premier and will once again provide a stern test as Albion look for some local bragging rights.
The Baggies are fifth and hope to make inroads on the top four in the second half of the campaign.
Albion have been dealt a blow as Mia Sorrentino, who checked in last summer, ruptured her ACL in the Everton tie and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
