Town resumed their FAWNL Division One North campaign with an outing at the Stafflex, hoping to maintain the unbeaten home league form they have sustained so far this season.
The hosts entered the contest off the back of a bitter-sweet cup tie against Barnsley, with a forfeited contest on the Tykes’ behalf bypassing Preston’s side to the next round of the Women’s FA Cup in which they’ll face Nantwich Town FC Women.
Today’s opposition however started the day at 11th in the division standings, having suffered defeat to league leaders Middlesborough in their previous showing, in comparison to Town’s recent trip to the Northeast that saw an impressive display at Durham Cestria, with goals courtesy of Leah Embley and Charlotte Stuart enough to secure all three points in a well-fought victory.
It was the Terrier’s to set the tempo of the contest early on, with a chance emerging for Ella Duffield short of the minute mark that saw her curling effort from range fly just wide of the far corner.
Town fielded somewhat of a rotated side following a number of availability issues as detailed by Preston, with the omissions of a number of key players including Beth Ibbotson, Kate Mallin and midfield-mainstay Caz Simone, with Rebecca Beresford and Serena Fletcher filling in for the absent defensive spots.
This rotation was demonstrated as fairly effective however in the opening stages, providing an air of composure to the backline that allowed more freedoms and prolonged periods of possession in the deeper areas of the pitch.
A second chance shortly ensued, with a switch from Beresford finding Embley free on the right flank, who was able to drive into the box before her driven attempt fell narrowly off-target.
This was a clear tactical intention of the home side, aiming to lure the opposition attackers forward through ball retention around the defensive 18 yard-box, before utilising either Stuart operating as the thread of midfield, or mentioned diagonal efforts, to find wingers Embley and Yasmin Mason in dangerous attacking areas.
This was evident for Huddersfield’s opener, with Mason driving up towards the touchline before her cross parried by the goalkeeper fell to the feet of Scarlett McMahon, who was able to fire into the empty net to earn her fourth of the season.
There were however gaps developing in the Town midfield, capitalised on by the opposition by overloading the middle third, resulting only in sporadic chances however.
The side entered the break with a one-goal advantage, heavily accredited to the works of Kacey Bolton-Woollam whose duties increased as the Town attacking weightage gradually slowed in the opening half.
Half Time: Huddersfield Town 1-0 York City
This was quite the contrary as play resumed, with the Terrier’s starting on the front foot following several further chances for Embley who was unlucky not to feature on the scoresheet, having an effort ricochet off of the far post in the 46th minute before rounding the goalkeeper shortly afterwards but being unable to maintain the ball in play.
Town were eventually boosted two-to-the-good shortly after the hour mark, once again stemming from Mason on the left flank, who’s effort into the area was poorly defended as a York City defender eventually deflected the ball into the back of their own net, with work to do for Emily Senior’s side if they wished to salvage a point from the contest.
Naturally the weight soon shifted back towards the defending side, as the Terrier’s well-managed a number of York City attacks, including a heroic two-versus-one recovery from skipper Beth Stanfield, as well as continued works from Manchester United loanee Bolton-Woollam to round out her faultless performance.
Despite a late influx of injury woes on Ria Montgomery and Autumn Housely given the hosts’ unavailable substitution options, the game eventually rounded out on a well-deserved Town victory.
Full Time: Huddersfield Town 2-0 York City
Huddersfield remain in fifth given local rivals Leeds United’s win over fellow Yorkshire side Barnsley today, and will be hoping to maintain their winning league form as they head to Manchester to face Cheadle Town Singers at the start of next month.
Goals:
15′ McMahon
61′ Own Goal (Mason)
Substitutions:
66′ Tiripke (McMahon)
71′ Firth (Mason)
Match Report: Harry Walsh
Photo Credits: Joe Cooper
