Terriers left it late to find the back of the net and keep the three points in West Yorkshire as two late goals beat a depleted Sheffield FC side.
- Town beat a struggling Sheffield side with two goals late in the game
- Second consecutive game with two goals scored
- Managers Verdict
The Terriers played host to a Yorkshire derby under the lights on Wednesday night, with high expectations of keeping the three points in the West side of the County, it took 89 minutes for either side to find a breakthrough.
It was a foggy night in Kirkburton, with Town looking to push themselves further up the table and despite concern if this game would go ahead, Sheffield made the trip and were left speechless after two late goals saw them leave in defeat.
The game started with Sheffield pushing from the get-go and a string of throw-ins for the visitors made it difficult for the Terriers, but before long Town dominated the game and started putting pressure on Annie Rushton-Butters in goal, but they worked hard to keep every attempt out.
Just after the 10 minute mark and Mia Perry had a chance to open the scoring. The on-loan midfielder found space in front of goal and had a shot, it hit the post and fell back into the box, where Kate Mallin could not react quick enough to hit the ball into the back of the net.
Shortly after, three quick chances for Town were well defended and eventually cleared. Serena Fletcher smashed her chance onto the post and, just before that, Beth Ibbotson’s chance was just high of the crossbar. Despite the Terriers eventually finding the back of the net, the whistle blew and it was offside.
As the first-half progressed, Laura Elford was banging on the door but every attempt was blocked, saved and ultimately, kept out of the net. At the break, the score line was level after Sheffield worked hard to keep their opposition out.
At the start of the second-half, the fog continued to make the conditions difficult, the rain fell down and the pitch was getting slippy, but Town pushed for that all important breakthrough. The Terriers pushed everything at their opposition and were left short handed on a number of occasions.
Just after the hour mark, Sheffield were forced into a substitute after Elford and Rushton-Butters collided in the box, with the ‘keeper being the worst off and needing to leave the pitch. As the last 15 minutes beckoned, Town made a switch as wing-back Paige Crossman entered the fray. She scored the winner against Stoke City last weekend, could she be a hero again?
Despite needing to change their ‘keeper, the stand-in substitute shot-stopper was excellent when called upon and some heroic goalkeeping stopped Crossman’s attempt at the back post.
With one minute left on the clock, Brittany Sanderson found the breakthrough and looked to have sealed the win. Town dug deep for this one and eventually, Ria Montgomery found Sanderson at the back-post, who beat the marker and found space before firing into the near post. Town lead with only stoppage time remaining.
But that was not the end of it. Five minutes into added time and Montgomery turned goal scorer this time and doubled the Terriers lead. Crossman drove the ball forward and unleashed a powerful shot, that cannoned from the crossbar and back into the box, despite her claim it was over the line, play continued and Montgomery poked home to add what was the icing on the cake for Town at the death.
Terriers manager Glen Preston spoke at full-time with a beaming grin:
“I have gone through every emotion in that game. I can’t believe it is only two-nil, I can’t believe we haven’t scored five, maybe six.
“I think we must have clocked 30-35 chances, it just felt like it was going to be one of those nights but thankfully Britt popped up and Ria’s got the second goal at the end that just made sure we got the result that we deserved.
“Credit to Sheffield by the way, they were absolutely superb.”
Town return to action this Sunday 6th March as they face Liverpool Feds in the semi-final of the FAWNL Cup.
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