Huddersfield Town Women victorious at home against West Bromwich Albion Women
- Huddersfield Town Women 3-0 West Bromwich Albion Women
- Sanderson scores brace, Stanley also on scoresheet
- Manager Glen Preston shares thoughts at full-time
HTAFC Women came out of a scrappy affair against West Brom with all three points on Sunday 27 March.
With both teams having multiple chances to go ahead, it was Brittany Sanderson made the difference finding the net twice, once in each half. Captain Katie Stanley was also on the scoresheet, netting at the start of the second half.
Coming into the game, both teams found themselves in mid-table and looking to end the season in good form. The game begun with both sides creating half-chances, with the first real chance falling to the Baggies who hit the crossbar around the 12th minute.
Town Women’s first chance occurred moments before their opening goal when captain Stanley fired a volley over the bar, however they didn’t have to wait long to go ahead as Sanderson poked the ball just past the WBA goalkeeper to give her side the lead.
Albion Women would hit the crossbar once again before the break with Shannon Stamps being denied by the woodwork for the second time in the game. Moments later, Town Women came close to their second with Albion’s goalkeeper making a big save to keep it one nil.
The second half opened in good fashion for the Terriers with Stanley converting from a corner routine, started by Sanderson. Huddersfield would continue adding pressure as the half continued, with Serena Fletcher’s shot being saved well.
The match became rather stop-start during the final half hour with a number of bookings being made by the referee. This theme continued when Town Women were awarded a penalty in the final five minutes. Sanderson stepped up to convert with a rocket into the bottom left of the goal. The aftermath of Town’s third goal saw a number of sending offs and sinbins being given to the visitors as tensions continued to rise.
A scrappy final couple of minutes saw Falone Sumaili impress as she made her first team league debut, having a couple of shots that were blocked inside the box. The full-time whistle sounded to the delight of the home team as Preston’s side secured their first league win in nearly a month.
Commenting on the match, HTAFC Women Manager Glen Preston said:
“We started slowly today, in the first 25-30 minutes West Brom were very good and in charge of the game. But as the game progressed, we started to take over and ended the first half very strong, then we had chance after chance in the second half. I was very pleased with how we played in the second half in difficult circumstances.”
HTAFC WOMEN TEAM
33. Bethan Davies (GK); 3. Beth Ibbotson; 12. Autumn Housley; 19. Paige Crossman; 15. Georgia Marshall; 57. Mia Parry (81’ 18. Alice Linsell); 23. Serena Fletcher (71’ 6. Lauren Griffiths); 7. Katie Stanley (C) (87’ 34. Falone Sumaili); 11. Brittany Sanderson; 10. Laura Elford; 9. Ria Montgomery.
Town Women are straight back into action as they face promotion chasing AFC Fylde in the league on Wednesday 30th March.
