HTAFC Women make County Cup final
- Town Women beat their development team 1-5
- Terriers now in two cup finals to be played later this month
- Travel to Hull City on Sunday 10 April in league
Huddersfield Town Women have added another cup final to their fixture list later this month following a 1-5 away win to their own development team under the floodlights on Thursday 7 April 2022.
Competing against each other in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup Semi-Final, the development team put up a good fight, causing their First Team counterpart’s issues during the first half. An opening goal from the First Team’s Beth Ibbotson was cancelled out by freekick-specialist Tara Duce for the development team.
The second half told a different story with HTAFC Women getting a better grip on the game. Mia Parry, who joined the Terriers on loan from Championship side Blackburn Rovers, scored her first goal for the club to put Town Women ahead. Moments later, Serena Fletcher would create a two-goal lead for the First Team.
Despite a few good-looking chances for the development team, their fate was sealed when development team regular, now turned first team, Falone Sumaili scored Town Women’s fourth. Kate Mallin, on her 501st appearance for the Club, tapped in a fifth just before the full-time whistle sounded.
This victory means that Huddersfield Town Women will feature in two major cup competition finals later this month. On Sunday 24 April (3.30pm KO), Town Women face full-time Southampton Women in the FAWNL Cup Final. Then, on Saturday 30 April 2022, HTAFC Women will feature in their sixth consecutive County Cup final, with the hope to win the competition for the first time since 2018.
First Team regular Lauren Griffiths can’t wait to challenge for both cups.
“I think it’s nothing less than we deserve based on the performances we had.
“We’re confident going into both that we can put in performances that will get us the result – and the cup!”
However, time for celebrating will have to be cut short as HTAFC Women feature against bottom of the table Hull City Ladies on Sunday 10 April 2022 at Haworth Park.
Facing relegation, Hull come into this game having only won once in their last twenty league games. They sit bottom of the table on six points. This will be the first time both teams have met this season with the previous fixture postponed in December.
As for the Terriers, they sit in fifth place in the FAWNL, on 38 points after 20 games played. With four games left of the season , including another game against Hull in May, Town Women are looking to finish in the top three with Derby, Fylde, and Nottingham just ahead and having played one game extra.
Last season, the Terriers kickstarted their table-topping season with a 2-1 win against Hull, when Laura Elford scored a brace to give then Women’s manager, Jordan Wimpenny his first league win.
PLAYER TO WATCH
With a goal tally of eight this season, Paige Crossman has become a threat during corner set-pieces. Scoring against Wolves in Town Women’s 2-1 defeat at the start of April, Crossman will be eager to try and reach double figures for the season – impressive for a player in a defensive position.
Crossman commented:
“Getting on the score sheet is always a great feeling, and as a full back I’m happy I’ve been able to help the team at both ends of the pitch this season.”
HOW TO WATCH HTAFC WOMEN
Fans will be able to attend the game played at Haworth Park, HU6 7DY, with ticket information available on @HullCityLFC. Kick-off is at 2pm.
Can’t make the game? As always match updates and coverage will be provided on @HTAFCWomen with highlights released after the game.
Picture by Eva Knott
