Huddersfield Town Ladies U16’s faced what is likely to be their toughest game of the season, away to Sheffield Utd. Despite the competition Town came away 1 – 3 winners with a display that was described by Utd’s manager as being one of the best he’s seen in youth football.

Town got straight to work on 2m when some great passing between Courtney Livsey and Zoe Laughton led to Jess Barrow being sent through into box and fire just over. Macy Ellis was next to try with a shot that went just wide. Utd were defending hard but could not prevent a long-range shot from Gwen Hughes on 8m, however the keeper was quick to react and tip it wide.

Town didn’t get it all their own way and some effective counter attacking from Utd led to a chip that needed an outstretched Emily Brookes to send it over the crossbar. Town immediately responded with another header from Hughes which went wide. Utd stepped up their attacks and some well-timed tackles from Nadya Longstaff, Olivia Burgin and Abigail Crabtree kept the opposition at bay, that was until the 12th minute when Utd broke through again and a shot to the right corner needed Emily’s outstretched hand to send it wide. Towns passing was excellent and in the 19th minute a well worked ball that started from defence ended in the opposition net when Courtney Livsey ran into the box to meet a through ball and take the shot…0 – 1 Town.

The chances for goals continued to happen, Barrow came close in the 20th minute, Macy Ellis almost made it through on 31m, however on 33m Utd were unable to stop a tremendous pass from Harriet Waller to Macy Ellis who easily converted into goal number two…0 – 2 Town.

Heading towards the half time whistle and Utd almost pulled one back when they manoeuvred a shot past the keeper that was heading straight for the net, thankfully Crabtree was able to intercept the shot and take it wide.

Half time 0 – 2 Town

Second half and Town wasted no time in getting goal number three when again Macy & Harriet played some great one touch football to leave Harriet in clear space to chip the keeper…0 – 3 Town. Utd were in no mood to give up and for the next 20m put Town under considerable pressure. Emily Brookes had to tip a ball over that came in from a cross, Nadya Longstaff was playing some great interception football and Burgin pulled off what was clearly the tackle of the match when Utd’s no8 made it through one on one with the keeper and was just about to shoot when Burgin slid in from the side to offer a foot. The game was pretty much end to end and it wasn’t until stoppage time that Utd pulled one back with an excellent long-range shot that left Brookes without a chance.

Final score 1 – 3 Town. Player of the match was Abigail Crabtree for her effective work in containing the Utd attacks.