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Huddersfield Town ladies U16s came a step closer to securing the league title with a very good 4-1 win over Barnsley. 

Town went straight on the attack from the whistle and almost got their first when  Zoe Laughton’s right-wing cross just missed the head of Harriet Waller who was waiting near the goal. Eight minutes later and Jess Barrow also had a chance when she weaved through the Barnsley defence to fire a shot against the crossbar. 

Barnsley were in the mood for the upset and were able to give Town a few scares throughout the first half, however some solid defending from Nadya Longstaff, Olivia Burgin, Abigail Crabtree, Jemima Wood and France’s Keddie kept the chances  limited. 

13 minutes in and Abigail stretched to intercept a great Barnsley through ball to hold off an attack, Barnsley returned with three against two where Nadya stepped in to hold the ball and play out. 

Town got back on track where Jess and Alicia Marriott combined well only for great save from the Barnsley keeper. Barnsley launched another attack however Olivia and Emily Uttley worked well together to get the ball clear. Towns chances were beginning to flow again shortly before half-time Nadya put a great ball through to Gwen who ran through the midfield to fire over the crossbar. Just before half-time Courtney Livsey almost got the first goal with a shot from distance that went over the Crossbar. Final shot of the half was from Jess whose shot hit the crossbar.

 

Half time 0-0

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Second-half and Barnsley were quicker to get off the mark with an attack that resulted in a handball from a Town player and a free-kick that found the top right corner of the net... 0-1 Barnsley. 

Town were keen to repeat last weeks response to conceding a goal and immediately went on the attack where Molly Ellis ran down the right wing and was able to cut in and fire over the top of the keeper...1-1 Town. Town were beginning to find their form and came close on three minutes when Alicia Marriott ran down the left wing cutting in and driving between two central defenders to fire and have the ball saved.  Brodie Haigh stepped up next with a great driven ball that almost found the net, sadly it went just wide. 

The chances were now coming at a faster pace, Alicia’s pass to Harriet was fired straight at the keeper which again was saved, however Alicia then made it 2-1 Town when she shot across goal to have the keeper well beaten. 

Alicia and Harriet had multiple chances over the next five minutes but the keeper was able to save them, that was until the 55th minute when Alicia’s shot on goal was saved and parried into the path of Harriet who wasted no time in shooting past the keeper... 3-1 town. 

56 minutes and Molly had another run and shot saved but was able to follow up on the rebound only to have it saved yet again. 

Barnsley began to fight back and on a number of occasions outpaced the Town midfield to get through to Towns back four, however the whole defence fought hard to ensure no more goals from Barnsley. 

On 70 minutes Jess Barrow finally got a well deserved goal when she picked the ball up from Emily Uttley’s pass, turned and drove through the midfield and then hooked a ball over the keepers head to make it 4-1 Town. Barnsley showed great spirit in fighting to the end and required all of the skill from Olivia to ensure a strong back line was maintained.

 

Final score 4-1 Town.

 

Star player was Nadya Longstaff for some great inception work and clear communication to work along the back