Words by: Oliver Eaton and Jack Vernoum. Pictures by: Jess Hornby
Huddersfield Town Women boss Glen Preston is predicting an exciting second half of the season in league and cup.
The Terriers return to league action on Sunday (January 16) for the first time since November after matches in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup and the FAWNL Cup and the postponement of last week’s league game at Hull City Ladies.
League action resumes against Nottingham Forest at the Stafflex Arena (2pm kick-off) on the back of a six-match winning run. Unbeaten since Halloween, the last league game Town played was a 3-0 victory against AFC Fylde in what was Preston’s first game back in charge.
That victory saw Town rise to fourth in the table and though they have since slipped to fifth Preston hasn’t ruled out a late thrust for the title just yet. In fact victory over fourth-placed Forest could see them move up to third.
Preston said: “We know we are hanging on by a thread to stay in the title race and so it’s going to be a tough ask for us to claw back a six to nine-point deficit in half a season – but we’ll never give up on that dream.”
Like Town, Forest are on an unbeaten run and there is not much between the two sides. In fact they cancelled eachother out in a goalless draw on the opening day of the season.
There is also the chance that Town fans will get to see their new loan signing Mia Parry, after she completed her move from Blackburn Rovers last week.
The young midfielder caught the eye of manager Preston who said: “We’re delighted to bring in Mia from Blackburn for the rest of the season on loan, and we’re grateful to Blackburn for working with us to get this deal done quickly.”
Town Women are also hoping for progress in both cup competitions but face Super League opposition in Everton in the FA Cup fourth round in a game switched to the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday January 30.
Preston added: “In the Vitality Women’s FA Cup the goal versus Everton will be to put in a performance that Town fans can get behind and be proud of.
“In other competitions we’ll be putting ourselves under pressure to try and win them. We’re under no illusions about how big a task that is especially where there are some great sides still in the FAWNL Cup, but every person at this club wants to win things and you can feel that hunger around the place and so that’s the challenge we’ll set ourselves and see what happens.”
HOW TO WATCH HTWFC
Kick off on Sunday January 16 is at 2pm at the Stafflex Arena, Storthes Hall, HD8 0WA, with pay on the gate available. Tickets are £5 adults, £3 concessions and kids go free.
Can’t make the game? As always, online coverage of the match will be available across all HTWFC channels including minute-by-minute updates on Twitter @HTAFCWomen plus match build up on Instagram. Highlights will also be released following the game for fans to catch up on the action.
