Away defeat for Huddersfield Town Women
- Town Women defeated away to Liverpool Feds
- Kate Mallin scores her first goal of the season
- Comments from Manager Glen Preston
Huddersfield Town Women fell to their eighth defeat of the season despite going ahead early into the first half. A quick equaliser followed by a converted penalty and last-minute strike secured all three points for Liverpool Feds. This result leaves the Terriers four points from safety.
Despite early attacking signs from the hosts, a well-worked attack allowed Serena Fletcher to drive into the box and send an inviting pass to Kate Mallin who used her experience to break the deadlock as she scored her first goal of the season.
However, this jubilation was short lived when the home team capitalised on an ignored offside call – Aleesha Collins slotting the ball past the protesting players to bring the game back level.
Liverpool Feds continued to pile on the pressure and forced Fletcher into making a clearance off the line in the 16th minute. Multiple long-range shots were also dealt with well by the debuting goalkeeper Lauren Bracewell, who recently signed from Burnley.
Town started to create chances as the first half progressed, however, this switch in momentum was halted when the home team were awarded a penalty after a handball inside the box - Paige Cole converted this chance for Liverpool Feds.
Bracewell produced a series of good saves either side of the half time break. Firstly, she denied the Feds’ one-on-one chance before she was tested around the hour mark with a diving save towards her bottom left corner.
Neither team managed to create an attacking spark during the second half. Huddersfield struggled to move the ball into the final third whereas Liverpool Feds failed to create clear goal scoring opportunities. The game turned into a stop-start affair as the time ticked away for the Terriers.
Liverpool Feds scored their third goal and Collins secured her brace with the final kick of the game.
Manager Glen Preston sounded his frustrations:
“It’s one step forwards, two steps backwards. We’ve had to put a lot of square pegs into round holes today. I’d like to get to the stage where it feels like we’re getting close to putting our strongest eleven out – we had four or five key players missing again today.”
“Liverpool Feds were the better of the two sides today – we cannot contest that”
Preston praised Bracewell’s debut in goal:
“I thought Lauren was excellent. She played injured as well but she pulled off two or three fantastic saves to keep us in the game so I thought she had a great first game.”
Huddersfield Town Women start their Women’s FA Cup campaign in their next fixture where they travel to Burnley on Sunday 12th November.
