Women's round-up: Wolves miss out on title but prepare for play-off

Wolves Women missed out on the league title on the final day but are now preparing for one last chance at promotion with an upcoming play-off.

Goals from Beth Merrick, Amber Hughes and Amy Sims earned Wolves a final day 3-0 win over Halifax, but Burnley’s victory over Stoke by the same scoreline meant they finished top by a point.

Wolves, who also had a greater goal difference than Burnley, would have been promoted if they won the National League Northern Premier Division title.

However, due to the Women’s Super League expanding for next season, there is an extra promotion place for this season only and Wolves will now face Southern Division side Plymouth for a chance to make history and get to the WSL2 for the first time.

Head coach Dan McNamara said: “To get to 61 points is unbelievable from the players. 20 wins out of 22 wins leagues anywhere else in the world, but we have to congratulate Burnley.

“They’ve managed to nick it by a point and we have to go again.

“It’s been a long season and I think this is probably the hardest one to take. We deserved a little bit more, but it hasn’t gone our way and we miss out again.

“We’re not downbeat, we have another week of training and get to extend the season and it’s a huge game, where we can achieve a dream together. We’re excited and we’ll be ready.”

That match will take place at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium on bank holiday Monday, May 4, with a 1pm kick-off.

Wolves are offering subsidised coach travel at £10 per person for the fixture, as they encourage as many fans as possible to make the trip.

Elsewhere in the league, Albion played out a 0-0 draw with Middlesbrough, while Sporting Khalsa finished bottom of the table with a 6-0 defeat at Loughborough Lightning.

In the WSL2, promotion-chasing Birmingham City were surprisingly beaten 3-0 at home to Ipswich Town.

The visitors netted three times in the opening 15 minutes to kill off the contest, in Blues’ last home game of the season.

In the National League Division One Midlands, Kidderminster Harriers enjoyed a final day 2-1 win at Sutton Coldfield, to leapfrog their opponents and finish ninth.

Already relegated Stourbridge had a torrid end to the campaign, however, with a 7-0 defeat at champions Peterborough United, as the Black Country side finished 11th and five points from safety.

In the West Midlands League Premier Division, Hednesford Town were beaten 1-0 at Shifnal Town.

In the West Midlands League Division One North, Chasetown enjoyed a stunning 6-0 win over Rugby Town.

A brace from Karen Harrigan-Clough, alongside finishes from Kyrie Ball, Leila Warner, Ellesse Birkett and Connie Wootton rounded off the spectacular victory.

Walsall also won, beaten Newcastle Town 1-0 thanks to a finish from Sophie Rowlands.

In the West Midlands League Division One South, Halesowen Town lost 3-2 at league leaders Knowle, with the Yeltz goals coming from Chelsea Mudge and Bethney Taylor.