By Harry Walsh
It was the Glassgirls who started the contest on the front-foot, as an ambitious effort in the opening minute caused little trouble for backup goalkeeper Lauren Joyce, with the omission of various regulars seeing a heavily rotated starting eleven from head coach Glen Preston to mark the final outing of the campaign.
Town had the strongest claim for an opener in the 14th minute, with intricate build up play on the left flank between Kate Mallin and Caz Fields allowing the freedom for a wide-drifting Yasmin Mason to fizz a low ball across the face of the goal, with a marauding Rebecca Beresford marginally unable to meet the end of it.
Further efforts from Mason ensured the weight of momentum remained in favour of the Terriers, rewarded with a rocket from Fields shortly afterwards who fired the home side ahead in impressive fashion, finding the far-left corner from 25 yards to rival Mason’s cup final claim for goal of the season.
The visitors responded just minutes later however, with Zoe Clarke levelling the contest at the backpost with a scrappy effort after matching winger Senna Robinson’s cross in the 27th minute against the run of play.
Mike Harris’ side soon earnt their second in a similar fashion, with a Stourbridge header directly from a corner striking the crossbar, rebounding back into the crowded Huddersfield box as Niamh Murphy was able to prod home from close range.
Opportunity to increase the lead was denied by the works of Charlotte Gill, with the away side connecting with the woodwork once again following a delivery from a corner, as the quick reactions of the midfielder to clear from the line ensured the deficit remained at only one headed into the break.
It was versatile utility option Scarlett McMahon that brought the sides back to even terms, rising highest following a wide cross with a looping header to beat the Stourbridge goalkeeper and shift momentum back in favour of the Town once again.
The substitution of Ashley Tiripike proved effective in the opening periods of the second half, driving the side from the frontline to create a number of opportunities for the side, with McMahon’s second in the 58th minute following Tiripike’s thwarted one-on-one effort, capitalising on the rebound as the striker earnt her brace slotting into the empty net.
The goalscorer was soon forced off through injury, replaced by development team player Evie Davies with the chance to impress first-team coach Preston.
A slight miscommunication in the 73rd minute between Beth Stanfield and Joyce saw the defender head Glassgirls’ substitute Favour Omenazu through in for an open goal, who was able to net just seconds after entering the field of play with her first touch of the fixture.
There was slight controversy in the closing minutes, with the referee not allowing advantage despite Mallin being found with an open-net at the back post, and a golden opportunity for Stourbridge striker Lizzie Bennet-Steele who blasted her effort over the bar who wasted the chance for all three points.
The result sees the Terrier’s round out the campaign with a tenth place finish in the Women’s national league, with the staff and players looking ahead for the exciting challenges of football in the ensuing 24/25 season.
