Full-back Housely’s effort as late as the 72nd minute forced the travelling side one ahead, as Glen Preston’s side will have aspired to close out the contest to ensure a third successive league victory.
The disruption however through Stockport County’s response just four minutes later ultimately resulted in a point a piece for each side, with skipper Kenedy Owen’s long-range strike enough to earn The Hatters their first league point since September.
Huddersfield Town will have entered the tie with hopes of finalising their 2024 with victory at Stockport County with their second consecutive away league trip through the peaks to the districts of Manchester, looking to bounce back from their recent cup-exit to championship side Sunderland AFC Ladies.
Town’s recent form in all competitions in comparison to that of the home outfit would have given the side considerable confidence before the tie, with Preston’s squad within reaching distance of league leaders Chorley still hoping to maintain their search for promotion back to the third tier of women’s football.
It was no surprise therefore that the visitors started the contest on the front foot, with recent record-breaker Kate Mallin’s effort high of the target the first of the fixture.
Mallin found marauding midfielder and top-scorer Charlotte Stuart from a number of crosses shortly after the 10th minute, with the side unable to create a significant and threatening opportunity through the frequently seen combination so far this campaign.
This was further indicated as another Mallin set-piece narrowly evaded all teammates, catching the goalkeeper off-guard who was able to parry away, with the 3G of the Stockport Sports Village surface hindering the intended style of play desired by Huddersfield.
Town were also unlucky with a number of officiating decisions, as Housley’s trip in the opposition box as not deemed a sufficient offence, in addition to a drop-ball awarded when The Terriers were in possession in a promising area.
The visitors maintained this momentum up until the half-time break, with Beth Stanfield an orchestrator in encouraging these opportunities, driving the side forward for Leah Embley’s cross, before her deflected volley minutes later could not find the back of the net as the teams entered the second period in a stalemate.
Half Time: Stockport County 0-0 Huddersfield Town
Play resumed in a similar fashion to how it closed, with Rebecca Beresford cutting inside from the left flank with great footwork in the 51st minute, before being dispossessed and nothing ensuing from the resulting opposition counterattack.
Town continued to push, as they somehow didn’t lead after the hour mark, with a flurry of chances falling to the feet of Embley, Stanfield and proactive defender Beth Ibbotson who was heavily involved in creative output throughout, with nothing resulting from the scrambling efforts.
Huddersfield eventually took the lead in the 72nd minute, with Housley finishing off a scrappy goalmouth scramble, with a sequence of close-range attempts eventually finding the defender, nestling in at the near post to award Town with a deserved advantage.
Mallin came marginally close to doubling their tally minutes later, missing the top-right corner with her long0range strike by a marginal distance as the visitors searched for a second.
Stockport cancelled out the deficit however in the 76th, with Nat Watson driving through the midfield as she found captain Owens, who was able to fire from over 30 yards out to pull the contest back level.
Town were unable to find a winner despite late pushes, with an ambitious effort from Beresford easily claimed by the opposition goalkeeper, as Ibbotson performed a heroic tackle shortly previous to prevent a Stockport counterattack.
Full Time: Stockport County 1-1 Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield see their 2024 action come to an end in what has been somewhat of a bitter-sweet journey for the club, suffering the fate of relegation whilst winning the Hallamshire County Cup and earning a sport in the third round of the Women’s FA Cup.
The side now sit at 4th in the division standings, just four points behind Cheadle Town Stingers with a game-in-hand, as Preston’s side will be hoping to kick on in the ensuing calendar year and return to their deserved sport higher in the pyramid.
Goals:
72′ Housley
