Star performer for Huddersfield Amateur Ladies in November was defender Rachael Graham-Martin, who won the club’s Town Hall Dental Player of the Month award for November.
Manager Richard Brearley said: “Rachael has been a real driving force this season. Her last ditch tackles and her ability to read the game has been instrumental to the team’s successes and push up the First Division.”
Premier League leaders Lower Hopton ended Huddersfield Amateur Ladies first team’s record beating seven-match winning streak, as the local rivals locked horns in the county cup at the beginning of November.
The game was end to end from the start. Even though HAFC kept shape, pressed well and attacked on the counter, Lower Hopton’s experience and extra quality came to the fore as they took a 2-0 lead into the half-time break. They then scored a further two goals in the second half.
Despite the 4-0 result, the Ammers came away with their heads held high as Hopton’s coaches and supporters heaped praise on the Elland-based team.
The first team started November with an emphatic 5-1 win against a plucky Farsley Celtic Juniors Reserves team in the League Cup. Talented teens Becky Aykroyd and Courtney White scored two goals apiece backed up with a great strike from skipper Amy Hemblys.
Farsley visited Old Earth once again the following week in the league. While the performance from HAFC was below par the result was positive, as the home side ran out 2-0 victors. White once again scored the goals.
HAFC Ladies second team faced Queensbury Celtic Ladies for the third time this season. With the teams finely balanced at one win each, this game was always going to deliver.
HAFC gave what was possibly their best performance of the season. They maintained shape and composure throughout. Goals from Kacey Buckley and captain Lara Abbott helped the team on their way.
Izzy O’Keefe netted her first goal since signing for the club and that should have been enough to take the three points. However Queensbury ran out 5-3 winners with Kaitie Waters proving to be the difference between the two teams, as the youngster’s skill and pace led her to grab a four-goal haul.
The weather has disrupted fixtures for Huddersfield Amateur Ladies in December so far. However the first team did manage to get their latest fixture in at the weekend against Skipton.
HAFC started the day joint top of the First Division and went toe-to-toe with Skipton who were sitting in 3rd place hot on the heels of the leading teams.
Skipton started the brighter of the two teams looking well organised and full of energy while HAFC looked a little disjointed and sluggish. It was on the 42nd minute when Skipton managed to break on the counter attack to score a well deserved opening goal.
The equaliser came in the 53rd minute when central defender Rachael Graham-Martin hit a looping shot from 25 yards out which dipped over the Skipton keeper.
Courtney White sprung to life opening up the Skipton defence with a mazy run after 56 minutes to put the home team 2-1 up.
Skipton regrouped and came back stronger than ever in this exciting encounter, again getting their rewards for great team play and spirit on the 76th minute scoring their second of the game making the scores level at 2-2.
The game always looked like it had another goal in it with Skipton looking the most likely to get it. But HAFC wouldn’t lay down. White went through on goal in the 91st minute, she had her shot superbly saved, she latched onto the loose ball and somehow threaded it through to Georgia Hamilton who in turn watched her shot from distance fly into the net for the winner.
A cruel result for the visitors but a valuable three points for HAFC Ladies, who retained their top spot at the top of the division going into the festive period.
