Forward Leah Embley kicked off the West Yorkshire derby on her first game back at Huddersfield, in a sunny yet windy Garforth. It took just 5 minutes for the first chance of the game, as Caz Fields whipped in an inviting ball to new signing Ella Duffield, however the linesman had his flag raised for offside.
Town looked exciting going forwards, with good passing build up throughout the whole team, leading to club legend Kate Mallin playing in Yasmin Mason down the left hand side. The speedy winger cut inside past the Leeds United right back, Drew Greene, towards goal, but a heavy touch allowed Carrie Simpson in goal to collect it at her feet.
It was 23 minutes until Town’s first corner of the game, which was encouragingly played into the box by Kate Mallin but it met a Leeds head first and was cleared away from danger. Mallin continued to impress with her crosses, as 5 minutes later she whipped in a great ball to Caitlin Devins at the back post who was unmarked, however she couldn’t get a good connection on the header and it goes wide of the post.
Town then had a brilliant opportunity to take the lead at the Bannister Prentice Community Stadium, as captain Beth Stanfield battles well inside the Leeds United box to keep the ball and find Duffield at the far post, but the new signing’s header flies just over the bar and the score remains 0-0.
Following a period of stoppage due to multiple injuires to the home side, Town took the lead through a brilliant Beth Ibbotson header as she beat her marker to head home a corner put in by Kate Mallin. The Terriers went into half time a goal up and in high spirits.
Leeds United kicked off the second half and were determined to pull the game back level. The first 10 minutes of the second period belonged mostly to the home side, and they had a fantastic opportunity to get their goal in the 54th minute through winger Ellie White, as she receives the ball off of Amy Woodruff just outside the 6 yard box but places it the wrong side of the post and Town breathe a sign of relief.
It was Town’s turn to attack next in the 66th minute, as Leah Embley puts in an inviting ball across goal, which is brushed into the feet of Ella Duffield by Leeds ‘keeper Simpson, however she shoots first time and can’t find the back of the net.
Leeds kept searching for an equaliser and nearly found it through White, as she receives the ball in the box and shoots from close range towards the near post, but can’t beat it as she rattles the woodwork at puts it out for a goal kick. They then had another chance via Kathryn Smith, but again fail to hit the target and Kacey Bolton-Woollam is left unfazed.
The first card of the game went to Stanfield in the 87th minute following an attempt to clear the ball, which resulted in her being penalised for a high foot as the opposition player goes for a header at the same time.
Despite holding onto the lead, Town remained positive and kept attacking for a second goal to see the game out, and Molly Firth got a goal on her debut after running onto a Leah Embley cross, and the 2 new signings collaborate to put Town 2 goals ahead in the dying minutes. 2-0.
Goals:
45′ Ibbotson (Mallin)
90′ Firth (Embley)
Substitutions:
63′ Firth (Mallin)
82′ McMahon (Mason)
89′ Beresford (Montgomery), Housley (Devins)
Photo Credits: Nathan Lewis
