Town Women draw in first home game of season
- Town Women draw with Brighouse Town
- Britt Sanderson on the scoresheet
- Comments from Manager Steve Appleton
Town Women held at home against Brighouse Town on Wednesday night at the Stafflex Arena.
Huddersfield Town Women played out a thrilling game of football against local rivals Brighouse Town with both teams having the fair share of possession during the 90 minutes. The first half was intriguing to say the least as both teams enjoyed attacking, free flowing football under the lights with a packed house watching on.
In the 14th minute mark the visitors were to create their first real chance in the opening period out of both teams, the ball delivered into the box but snatched at, as it slowly crept into the goalkeepers gloves.
As the contest took its cause under the lights, a good tackle by Paige Crossman was aplauded by the fans with groans following the referees verdict of a thrown in for the visitors. Brighouse themselves continued to threaten piling on their own pressure, up for the fight as they used the wings numerous times to try and exploit the Terriers. A real battle was on our hands from attack to defence as both managers looked on from the touchline.
There were some mistakes made by the Terriers backline but these went unpunished, a mistake by Autumn Housley allowed Brighouse in but Becky Flaherty was equal to it getting her strong hands to it to the defenders relief. The Terriers would go into the break finishing the first half the strongest after winning two corners in quick succession.
Moments later there were cries of a back pass as the Brighouse keeper was adjudged to have breached the ball back into her gloves. Becky Flaherty was highly reponsible in making the biggest impact in the first period making a game defining save just on the brink of half time, saving from the spot wonderfully after Georgia Marshall fouled in the penalty area. This meant both teams went into the break all square with all to do in the second half.
Town put together their first opportunity of the second period straight away with Kate Mallin weaving in and out trying to find the corner, just after Becky Flaherty made another great save this time in a one on one situation. The goalkeeper consistent as ever as she continued to cover nicely running out and getting to the ball first after a Brighouse counter attack in the 57th minute.
Something was to give and this became a reality with 18 minutes to go on the clock. Britt Sanderson converting from close range after the corner kick was delivered in. She was there to poke home. With Steve Appleton going to reinforcements to try and keep hold of the lead or even double it. The visitors looked for a late goal and got their wish as Town were left heartbroken in the last stages the contest ending 1-1.
Steve Appleton, Town manager was left disappointed after his team conceded late on.
“It is disappointing it was a very good performance by the girls, I thought we were the better team throughout the game. A bit of a soft penalty which Becky saved again and then the late goal and it’s the only few occasions where I feel they have laid a glove on us. But at this level of football you switch off and teams will take advantage and unfortunately that’s what happened there.”
Appleton is aware his team has a great deal of quality.
“I can’t argue with the effort and commitment of the players, they have absolutely everything tonight including a really good performance all round and in the heat of a Derby game to sort of play with the intelligence, the attitude was superb.”
On the goalkeeping option with Bethan Davies available and Becky Flaherty performing well once again. Appleton said, “The goalkeeping situation is a huge part but is isn’t a problem for me personally, it’s fantastic to have such quality in both keepers, the situation is good one.”
With the game out the way at home the Terriers will face Loughborough away this Sunday. Steve Appleton will need to gather his troops ahead of another big game in the league campaign.
