[BFC SITE] Barnsley FC Women triumphant on derby day at Oakwell

Barnsley FC Women were triumphant in the South Yorkshire derby at Oakwell, defeating local rivals Barnsley WFC 1-0, courtesy of a stunning 72nd minute effort from Reds’ captain, Charley Evans.

The Reds impressed from the early stages, and had their first chance of the game after five minutes, when Lauryn Wilcock delivered an excellent ball into the box, but Louise Biggins was unable to meet the path of the incoming cross in time to convert the delivery. The visitors were not without their own chances, however, and in the 10th minute, it took a sturdy BFCW defensive line to prevent an opposition set piece finding the back of the net, with the forward Biggins turning defender to clear the ball out of harm’s way.

Barnsley FC Women continued to press well as the half progressed, and after nineteen minutes Wilcock again found space on the left flank, and hit a cross into the area which Biggins was able to find, producing a deft first touch before drawing a save from the opposition ‘stopper from the right hand side of the box with a well-hit effort.

The next ten minutes produced much cagier surroundings, with play largely being constrained to midfield, but with the Reds also controlling possession for the majority of that time. In the 32nd minute, Ruby Jex-Oldfield had an excellent opportunity, when she picked up a pass by Betty Cheetham close to the penalty spot, with another great save by the Barnsley WFC goalkeeper being all that thwarted her on this occasion.

Two minutes later, it was the turn of Reds’ ‘keeper, Becky Flaherty, to produce an outstanding save of her own, responding to a shot by the visitors from thirty yards out and managing to parry the ball out of the box, resulting in a throw-in which Barnsley WFC were unable to capitalise on, ensuring that the first half ended goalless, but provided plenty of food for thought for a positive Barnsley FC Women side as the second 45 approached.

HALF TIME: Barnsley FC Women 0-0 Barnsley WFC

Barnsley FC Women picked up where they had left off, with Biggins coming close again five minutes after the restart, producing a shot from twenty yards out which was directed wide of the target.

After this initial positive opportunity, the visitors had their own chance to open the scoring, with the forward Bartup managing to make a run into the box and hitting a shot at close-range, only to be denied by the quick feet of Betty Cheetham, who produced an outstanding block, before clearing the ball. Five minutes later, Jex-Oldfield had another chance to break the deadlock, with a curling cross from the right flank which the opposition stopper had to jump to collect.

The Reds made a number of changes with twenty minutes to go, and in the 72nd minute, this fresh approach paid dividends, as they were able to find the breakthrough, courtesy of Barnsley FC Women skipper, Evans. The defensive midfielder picked up the ball in space from thirty yards out, hitting an excellent left-footed shot which comfortably beat the opposition ‘keeper, to open the scoring.

Following this, Barnsley FC Women came under incredibly heavy pressure from the opposition forward line, with Alayna Millard in particular stepping up after 77 minutes to produce an excellent tackle just inside the area to prevent any goalscoring opportunity, following a counter-attack.

But the Reds remained resolute, and rather than experiencing difficulties in their own half, they continued to look potent in the final third during the closing minutes of the game, with Madison Foye drawing a right-handed save from the Barnsley WFC ‘keeper in the 93rd minute, following a powerful shot from distance.

Barnsley FC Women then comfortably saw out the remainder of the game, to ensure a momentous victory, and progression to the next round of the FA Women’s National League Cup.

FULL TIME: Barnsley FC Women 1-0 Barnsley WFC

BARNSLEY FC WOMEN XI: Flaherty, Evans (C), Rigby, Brown, Wilcock, Cheetham, Jex-Oldfield, Walton, Millard, Turton-Burrell, Biggins

Subs: Ridsdel-Harrison, Barraclough, Chincharo, Gregory, Foye, Ayrton, Fevers

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It was a hard-fought game between the town’s 2 senior women’s team & a pleasure to watch. Standouts for BFC women were Betty Cheetham (playing as an emergency CB as though “born” to play there) & Alayna Millard (again at LB).

 

I had a feeling Barnsley would win.

 

The outstanding performer for me mate was the opposition goalie. Some top notch saves and very good control of the penalty area.
Tbf ours had a very good game too, especially closing down and blocking the forwards when one on one.