Glen Preston’s Huddersfield side marked their return home with a 1-1 draw with Barnsley Women, having led at the half time break.
The hosts returned to action under the lights at the Stafflex following a prolonged absence from home turf, with two consecutive league losses no doubt resting amongst the back of the squad’s minds who would have been determined to create somewhat of a shift in fortunes.
It was Town that kicked off the contest in the bitter conditions, facing a Barnsley side that have suffered slight injuries woes so far this campaign following their promotion from the NERWFL Premier Division as league champions.
It was evident in the opening minutes that the surprise addition of Yasmin Mason at full back was covered by pivoting midfielder Charlotte Stuart dropping between the centre-halves, allowing the number 14 greater attacking freedoms.
This was indicated in the first action of the fixture, with Mason impressing out wide with clever trickery before performing a well-weighted looping cross shortly afterwards, met by Leah Embley at the backpost as she headed narrowly high of the target.
Barnsley clearly displayed intention of exposing the Town backline with a route one style method of progressing up the field of play, with a number of attempts from goalkeeper and Northern-Ireland international Becky Flaherty squandered by the commanding presence of skipper Beth Stanfield.
Town’s ensuing chances stemmed both once again from crossed efforts, with Embley on the providing side of chance creation as she picked out Ella Duffield in the opposition box, before Kate Mallin’s corner found Mason thanks to a Stuart flick on minutes later that was also eventually claimed.
The deadlock was broken in the 29th minute courtesy of a Stuart wonder-strike, receiving the ball in the middle of the park before picking out the far-left corner from around 35 yards to give the goalkeeper little-chance of getting near the effort.
The first clear-cut chance for the Tykes occurred towards the latter-periods of the opening half, with a desperate opposition clearance forward narrowly escaping right-back Ria Montgomery finding the feet of the Barnsley attacker, with Preston’s side maintaining their advantage through the heroics of young goalkeeper Kacey Bolton-Woollam, with the home outfit entering the break one goal to the good.
Huddersfield resumed once again on the front foot, with Embley in possession following a misplaced clearance in the 50th minute, opening at the edge of the box before her chipped shot towards goal flies marginally close to doubling the Barnsley deficit.
It was Jessica Horley’s side that were next to strike however somewhat against the run of play, with Betty Cheetham rising highest in the area following a corner just short of the hour-mark to pull the contest back level.
Preston was evidently looking for an inspired change in attack, with Rebecca Beresford replacing Mallin in the 67th minute, as Mason soon occupied the role of number nine.
Beresford was close to providing an instant impact to the side searching for a second, with Mason drifting wide and finding the substitute with a driven cross, as the winger took down the ball well before having the ball claimed from her feet by the sweeping goalkeeper.
There was a slight scare for Town around the 81st minute, with a loose effort in the air falling to the feet of an opposition attacker, but luckily mis-controlled.
Preston continued his rearranging efforts, as Molly Firth and Duffield were soon replaced by Ashley Tiripike and frequent hero from the bench Scarlett McMahon.
The closing stages saw little action between the two outfits, with Mason found in behind at the start of additional time, before being brought down and controversially flagged for an offside offence, as the sides eventually settled for an even result.
The Terriers return to the Stafflex on Sunday as they face FA Women’s national league side Hull City in the cup, hoping to extend their run following victory away at York City Ladies just a fortnight ago.
Goals:
29′ Stuart (Mallin)
Substitutions:
67′ Beresford (Mallin)
71′ Housley (Montgomery)
84′ McMahon, Tiripke (Firth, Duffield)
Match Report: Harry Walsh
Photo Credits: Joe Cooper
