West Bromwich Albion Women head coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still believes the “fine margins” lead to defeat against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Sunday.
The Baggies went ahead early in the game as Delphi Cole tapped home a corner at the back post, a strike that was cancelled out by two Stoke goals in the first half from Roisin Kivel and Heidi Logan.
Those finishes handed Albion just their second defeat since February 11 and they have one game of the FA WNL Northern Premier Division season left.
“We did well in large parts of the game,” Hodgetts-Still said. “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.
Embed from Getty Images“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.
“In the second half they made it very difficult for us, credit to them. For me 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.
“I think it was for the neutrals a really good game and it was back and forth. 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 thought we did really well. I think we’ve prepped for it this season, we’ve played at Burnley at The Hawthorns, against Wolves at the Molineux.”
"We did well in large parts but we've got to be clinical and take our chances." @Shevs_20 has her say on defeat at the bet365 Stadium this afternoon. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/rk0MZOSWOK
— West Bromwich Albion Women (@WBAWomen) April 21, 2024
There will be one more test for Albion this season; they host Newcastle United at the Valley Stadium on Sunday, March 5 – one they’ll be aiming to round off the season well in.
“Like every game will prep and prepare,” Hodgetts-Still said. “We’ll 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.”
