[BFC SITE] Reds earn point on the road at Huddersfield

Barnsley FC Women came from behind to win a hard-fought point in their Yorkshire derby clash with Huddersfield Town, as they earned a point in a 1-1 draw.

The Reds started the game strongly, holding a solid defensive line which frustrated the home side in the opening minutes. After six minutes, Huddersfield had their first chance of the game, when a ball was crossed into the box from the left flank, however, defender Sharone Buckle was on hand to head the cross out from harm’s way.

Six minutes later, Barnsley had their first chance of the game, when a long kick from goalkeeper Becky Flaherty fell into the path of Jodie Gregory, who produced an excellent forward run into the box. However, Huddersfield stopper Bolton-Woollam came off her line to clear the ball before the Reds’ number nine could apply the finish.

The next five minutes saw a relatively cagey affair, with play mainly concentrated in the Reds’ half. The midfield trio of Charley Evans, Freya Walton and Ruby Jex-Oldfield worked diligently to break up Huddersfield’s forward play and prevent any incoming midfield runs. After 16 minutes, the home side had another opportunity to break the deadlock when the forward Duffield managed to get onto the end of a cross in the box, however, Flaherty came down to smother the ball before she could follow through.

However, after 30 minutes, Barnsley FC Women were unable to prevent Huddersfield scoring the first goal of the afternoon. Picking up the ball from 30 yards out, midfielder Charlotte Stuart was able to produce a looping shot which just went over the top of Flaherty and into the back of the Reds’ net.

The Reds then had to perform expertly at the back to prevent the home side doubling their advantage virtually from kickoff, with a Huddersfield winger managing to produce a run down the right flank and hitting a ball into the eighteen-yard box. However, Alayna Millard produced an excellent block to deny her, and Flaherty was able to dive to save the rebound effort from close range.

As half-time neared, Lauryn Wilcock had a great chance to produce a leveller when she went on a mazing run from the left wing into the box, before unleashing a powerful shot which was only denied by an outstanding parry from the Huddersfield stopper. This meant that the Reds went into half time one goal behind, although they had performed excellently in restraining the efforts of the home side throughout the first half, and this would set them up well for the second 45.

HALF TIME: Huddersfield Town AFC Women 1-0 Barnsley FC Women

Six minutes after the restart, the home side had a chance to double their advantage, when the Reds lost possession on the halfway line. The ball found its way to Huddersfield forward Leah Embley outside the box, but her long shot was directed well over the bar.

Barnsley FC Women then proceeded to employ a confident high press which allowed the Reds’ forward line to create far more space in the final third. And this paid dividends in the 59th minute, when the Reds gained a corner kick following an excellent block from a cross by Millard on the left flank. Midfielder Walton then rose high in the middle of the box to head past Bolton-Woollam, for a well-deserved equaliser.

The home side fought back well from this setback, and managed to hold off the resurgent Barnsley forward line of Gregory and Lissa Woodhouse from producing any further attacking opportunities over the next minutes. However, they managed to produce a counter-attack in the 68th minute, with Duffield producing a shot in the area which was denied by an outstanding save from Flaherty.

Seven minutes later, Reds’ forward Woodhouse found space from 25 yards out, and was able to hit a powerful, curling shot which was directed just wide of the mark. And in the 83rd minute, Millard again went on an excellent run down the left flank, whipping a heavy cross into the box which Gregory came down to hit on the volley, but was ultimately unable to control as her effort went wide of the post.

As the closing stages of the game approached, the Reds contained to maintain their high press, and had the majority of possession as they searched for that elusive winner. However, they were not able to broach the Huddersfield defence in the remainder of the contest, and as such, came back to Oakwell with a well-earned point.

FULL TIME: Huddersfield Town AFC Women 1-1 Barnsley FC Women

Barnsley XI: Flaherty (GK), Evans (C), Woodhouse, Gregory, Wilcock, Cheetham, Jex-Oldfield, Buckle, Walton, Millard, Turton-Burrell

Subs: Barraclough, Chincharo, Foye, McNicholas, Biggins

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