[BFC SITE] Reds held to away draw at Middlesbrough

Barnsley FC Women made it two games unbeaten, as they gained a 1-1 draw away at Middlesbrough, after a battling performance at the MAP Group Stadium.

Jess Horsley’s side started the contest brightly, taking the lead in the 11th minute, after a powerful cross from the right flank by forward Jodie Gregory was headed into the ‘Boro net by an opposition defender.

Four minutes later, the home side levelled the scoring, with the winger Giles finding space in the Barnsley box to hit a close-range effort past Reds’ goalkeeper, Becky Flaherty.

The Reds continued to battle following this setback, coming close to taking the lead after 29 minutes, when Alayna Millard produced a powerful shot from 25 yards out which forced Middlesbrough stopper Cook into a diving save.

The wing-back Millard was not to be denied however, and on the stroke of half time, she retook the lead for Barnsley, driving from the right flank to fire home a powerful effort from just inside the box.

This ensured that the Reds went into half time with the advantage, looking good value for their lead.

HALF TIME: Middlesbrough FC Women 1-2 Barnsley FC Women

After a cagey start to the second 45, with little play taking place inside the final third, Barnsley almost extended their lead in the 65th minute. Reds’ skipper Charley Evans came close with a looping free kick from 35 yards out, forcing the home ‘keeper to come off her line and collect the effort.

Ten minutes later, the goalscorer Millard had an opportunity to seal her brace with a speculative effort from distance, which forced the Middlesbrough ‘keeper into a parry, with substitute Lauryn Wilcock’s follow up effort being cleared by an opposition defender.

The home side continued to put pressure on Barnsley as full time approached, with the defensive trio of Melissa Turton-Burrell, Stephanie Rigby and Sharone Buckle remaining resolute for much of the closing minutes to constrain a number of Middlesbrough attacks.

However, with three minutes left to play in the second half, Middlesbrough equalised, with Millie Bell managing to head home past Flaherty in the centre of the eighteen yard box, following an opposition free kick.

Barnsley FC Women were unable to produce any further significant opportunities for the remainder of the contest, and had to settle for taking a solitary point back to South Yorkshire.

FULL TIME: Middlesbrough FC Women 2-2 Barnsley FC Women

Barnsley XI: Flaherty, Evans (C), Rigby, Woodhouse, Gregory, Jex-Oldfield, Buckle, Walton, Millard, Turton-Burrell, Biggins

Subs: Allard, Chincharo, Wilcock, Cheetham

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Very decent result. Another proof reading fail though.