Town Women progress into the next round of the FAWNL Cup
- Loughborough Lightning 1-2 Huddersfield Town Women
- Serena Fletcher scored brace in Cup game
- Glen Preston’s side progress in the FA Women’s National League Cup
Huddersfield Town returned to FA Women’s National League Cup action against Loughborough Lightning on Sunday afternoon and progressed into the next round.
Town dug deep to advance in the FA Women’s National League Cup at the expense of Loughborough Lightning on Sunday afternoon thanks to a brace from Serena Fletcher and last-minute heroics from Abi Megeary to book their place in round two.
After the weather took a nasty turn during warm up’s and gave everybody a soaking, the opening phases played out even as both sides looked to get to grips with the conditions.
It was Town who broke the deadlock just after the quarter hour mark, a well worked free kick routine outside the box is delivered towards the six-yard area and Fletcher stepped up and headed home from close range.
Less than ten minutes later Town and Fletcher had their second, Loughborough unable to clear their line as a ball is played into the box by Montgomery, Fletcher nipped in before the defense and was able to bundle the ball home and double Towns lead and put them in a commanding position with less than twenty-five minutes gone.
As the half was ending, Loughborough started to mount on the pressure as they looked to cut the deficit heading into half time, but the Town back line held firm and were able to clear and preserve their lead heading into the break.
A fast start from Town in the second period was nearly rewarded as Kate Mallin got on the end of a floated cross but her acrobatic effort is just over the bar.
Loughborough were handed a lifeline with sixty-seven on the clock as Beth Stanfield was adjudged to have fouled a Lightning player and the referee quickly pointed to the spot, Abi Megreay got a strong hand to the penalty but in the wet condition, the ball skimmed through her grip into the back of the net and Town’s lead halved with twenty left on the clock.
Loughborough piled on the pressure until the final whistle but were unable to convert their several attempts.
Into the 90th minute and Loughborough were able to deliver the ball into the box and its hit towards goal with some conviction and was destined for the back of the net but Megreay pulled out a world class save to keep the ball out of her net, much to the approval of the traveling Town supporters in the main stand.
Town were able to see out the final moments of a captivating second period and book their place in the draw for the second round with their 2-1 victory.
Next up for Glen Preston’s side is a return trip to Loughborough Lightning next weekend as we return to league action.
