HTAFC Women advance to the semi-final of Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup
- Huddersfield Town Women 1-0 Doncaster Rovers Belles
- HTAFC Women bounce back from defeat vs Derby
- Laura Elford returns from injury to score winner
Elford’s impact off the bench the difference as Town deservedly came out on top of Yorkshire derby.
Glen Preston’s side came into this tricky cup tie aiming to put the disappointment of their trip to Derby behind them.
The Stafflex Arena played host to a open affair with both sides having their fair share of half chances and periods of possession. The game started off with the flow of a basketball game with every defensive stop leading to a fast paced counter-attack, which neither side could make count in the opening proceedings.
A contributing factor to the fast pace of the match came in the form of an effective high press from the hosts, negating Doncaster’s ability to play out from the back and forcing them to make mistakes.
HTAFC Women came close to making the pressure count at the half hour mark, as Mia Parry weaved her way through the midfield and sent the ball through to Brittany Sanderson, who created space to get a shot away from 25 yards which narrowly skimmed the crossbar.
The opposition then quickly responded minutes later in the form of a first time volley which was hit hard but kept on rising.
Having edged the first half, Town Women continued the second half in similar form, forcing two early corners in the first two minutes of the half.
Elford was introduced in place of Ria Montgomery after an hour as Town’s first substitution, in a game and competition which has rolling substitutions.
Only five minutes into her appearance, Elford created a good chance for herself as she cut inside from the right wing and got a snap shot off, which was met by the Doncaster stopper.
In the 75th minute, the hosts picked up the ball from midfield, where Elford carried the ball from the halfway line and got a shot off. Parried by the Belles ‘keeper into her own net, it was a deserved lead for the side.
The last ten minutes saw debuts for Development Team regulars Lois Scholefield and Falone Sumaili. Town Women then closed out the last ten minutes to secure qualification to the next round of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup!
Huddersfield Town Women Line Up:
Bethan Davies; Autumn Housley; Vicky Abbott; Beth Ibbotson; Paige Crossman (Ria Montgomery 86’), Georgia Marshall, Mia Parry, Zoe Laughton, Katie Stanley, Ria Montgomery (Laura Elford 58’), Brittany Sanderson
