[BFC SITE] Reds exit Women's National League Cup on Oakwell Showcase Pitch

Barnsley FC Women were unable to get past the first round in their inaugural campaign in the FA Women’s National League Cup, as they were defeated 5-0 by Stoke City on the Oakwell Showcase Pitch.

The Reds came under pressure from the Stoke forward line in the early stages of the game, with goalkeeper Becky Flaherty diving excellently to deny a Shannon Stamps shot at the near post in the 7th minute. 7 minutes later, a Stoke attacking move led to Tamara Wilcock being through on goal just inside the area, with Reds’ defender Melissa Turton-Burrell producing an excellent interception to prevent a goalscoring opportunity.

However, Barnsley FC Women were unable to stop Stoke taking the lead in the 20th minute. Forward Millie Ravening received the ball in the area, taking it down before hitting a powerful shot past Flaherty for the opener. Stoke had an opportunity to double their lead seven minutes later, with Louisa Barraclough being in position to clear away a cross from the right flank before the visitors could capitalise.

After 30 minutes, substitute Jodie Gregory came close to levelling the score, when she was able to briefly dispossess Stoke goalkeeper Lauren Bracewell on the edge of the area, however, the opposition shotstopper was able to regain her composure and clear the ball out of harm’s way.

Stoke had another opportunity to score a second after 39 minutes, when the midfielder Priestley attempted an audacious bicycle kick in the Barnsley box, being thwarted by an outstanding catch from Flaherty. Louise Biggins had another chance to equalise four minutes later, when she produced a run from the halfway line which was only thwarted by a well-timed tackle in the area by her opposition marker, ensuring that the Reds went into half-time one goal down, but with plenty of room to mount a fightback in the second 45.

HALF TIME: Barnsley FC Women 0-1 Stoke City FC Women

The visitors doubled their lead two minutes after the restart, when Tamara Wilcock was able to get onto the end of a flowing move from midfield, before dispatching a close-range effort past Flaherty.

Barnsley FC Women attempted to rally back from this setback, and in the 62nd minute, Lauryn Wilcock came close to pulling one back when she hit a spectacular effort from 30 yards out which was only denied by a deflection off an opposition defender. Goalkeeper Flaherty then turned hero two minutes later, with a double save, first clearing a Ravening effort from the edge of the Barnsley area, before then diving to smother a powerful follow up effort from midfield.

However, the Reds could not prevent Stoke from tripling their advantage in the 66th minute, when Ravening secured her brace with a cool finish on the left-hand side of the area. Stoke scored their fourth goal eight minutes later, when Stamps received the ball from 25 yards out and hit a curling shot which looped over the Reds’ keeper.

Lauryn Wilcock came close to scoring for Barnsley after 77 minutes, when she managed to bend a 25-yard free kick over the Stoke wall, however her effort went just over the crossbar. Stoke were then able to extend their lead to five in the 82nd minute, when substitute Delphi Cole responded to a cross from midfield with a volley in the area to fire past Flaherty.

The Reds attempted to rally back in the closing minutes, with some incredibly positive play in the final third, however, they were unable to find a consolation effort, and as such, their FA Women’s National League Cup campaign came to an end.

FULL TIME: Barnsley FC Women 0-5 Stoke City FC Women

Barnsley XI: Flaherty (GK), Barraclough (Millard, 57), Evans (C) (McNicholas, 81), Pierrepont, Woodhouse (Gregory, 26 – later replaced by Wilcock, 46), Cheetham (Chincharo, 72), Jex-Oldfield, Buckle, Walton, Turton-Burrell, Biggins

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How come the women can wear light grey shorts but the men can't wear white?

 

More importantly why have the men had to change their home kit to accommodate the women's home kit only for them to wear their AWAY kit at home? And as you say they're not exactly period friendly shorts are they.

I personally don't think the women's team have made any such request or demand and one person's ego and personal sense of fashion is behind it all

 

Yeah, I suspected Julie Anne was telling porkies when she was asked about the kit in pre season.

 

Taking the P now as there is no way the men cannot wear white shorts.

What level do Stoke women play at?

 

Maybe because its a Cup game? Used to be a rule in the FA Cup that both teams should change in the event of a colour clash.

 

Stoke are in the division above us, the Northern Premier.

 

Thank you. I wondered with the score what the gulf was.