Match Report
Liverpool Feds 3-1 Huddersfield Town Women
Huddersfield Town Women fell to their eighth defeat of the season despite going ahead early into the first half. A quick equaliser followed by a converted penalty and last minute strike secured all three points for Liverpool Feds. This result leaves the Terriers four points from safety.
Despite early attacking signs from the hosts, a well-worked attack allowed Serena Fletcher to drive into the box and send an inviting pass to Kate Mallin who used her experience to break the deadlock and score her first goal of the season.
However this jubilation was short lived when the home team capitalised on an ignored offside call – Aleesha Collins slotting the ball past the protesting players to bring the game back level.
Liverpool Feds continued to pile on the pressure forcing Fletcher into a goal-mouth clearance in the 16th minute and multiple long-range shots were well dealt with by the debuting goalkeeper Lauren Bracewell, who recently signed from Burnley.
Huddersfield did start to create chances as the first half progressed however this switch in momentum was halted when the home team were awarded a penalty following a questionable handball claim. Paige Cole converted this chance.
Bracewell produced a series of good saves either side of the half time break. Firstly denying the Feds’ one-on-one chance before being tested around the hour mark with a diving stop to her lower left.
Neither team managed to create an attacking spark during the second half. Huddersfield struggled to move the ball into the final third whereas Liverpool Feds failed to create clear goal scoring opportunities. The game turned into a stop-start affair as the time ticked away for the Terriers.
Liverpool Feds would score their third goal when Collins secured her brace with the final kick of the game. Ending a disappointing afternoon for the Terriers.
Manager Glen Preston sounded his frustrations:
“It’s one step forwards, two steps backwards. We’ve had to put a lot of square pegs into round holes today. I’d like to get to the stage where it feels like we’re getting close to putting our strongest eleven out – we had four or five key players missing again today.”
“Liverpool Feds were the better of the two sides today – we can not contest that. But I think that all three of their goals are contentious.”
Preston praised Bracewell’s debut in goal:
“I thought Lauren was excellent. She played injured as well – with an injury to the groyne. She pulled off two or three fantastic saves to keep us in the game so I thought she was excellent from that point of view.”
Huddersfield Town Women start their Women’s FA Cup campaign in their next fixture where they travel to Burnley on Sunday 12th November.
