Words by: Khya Gott – Pictures by: Oliver Eaton
It was attack versus defence for much of the game but Huddersfield Town Women FC were patient and focused and eventually progressed comfortably into the third round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
Paige Crossman, an own goal and a deserved late strike from Brittany Sanderson secured a 3-0 win over Sheffield FC at the Stafflex Arena on Sunday.
It was a very different contest to the last round when the Terriers despatched Sir Tom Finney Ladies 20-0.
Sheffield FC set out their stall to defend and had 10 players behind the ball and in the first half Town struggled to break them down.
Lucy Sowerby had a chance that was just over the crossbar. Then Sanderson had two attempts at goal, with the first being after a lovely cut back from Kate Mallin, but her headed chance was straight into the hands of Abi Megeary. Beth Stanfield and Laura Elford also went close in a goalless first 45 minutes.
The Terriers remained calm and stuck to their gameplan and the breakthrough eventually came when Crossman scored the opener off the crossbar. The ball, however, bounced down and back out into play and the referee needed a few moments to give the goal.
The game was effectively over 10 minutes later when an unlucky deflection and an own goal made it 2-0.
In added time Sanderson got the goal she deserved for her hard work and persistence when she made it three.
The Terriers next host Loughborough Lightning in the third round on Sunday December 12, again at the Stafflex Arena.
Afterwards manager Glen Preston said: “The mission was to get through to the next round and we’ve done it and done it comfortably. Could we have won by a bigger margin? Absolutely! But we were patient and got the goals, and we have been professional.
“Loughborough will be a different game. This was an attack versus defence for 90 minutes. With 10 players in the penalty area, it was tough to break them down.
“Loughborough are a side that try and play a lot of football, so they will be different types of games.
“We just have to do our preparations and be as professional as we ever would and if we play with our maximum capabilities and intensity we will give anybody a game in this league.”
