By Rohit Baines
Huddersfield Town Women boss Glen Preston praised his players as they started the season with back-to-back victories and two clean sheets.
A second half goal from midfielder Charlotte Stuart saw the Terriers clinch a 1-0 win against Stockport County Ladies at the Stafflex Arena on Sunday.
It’s a 100% start to the new FA Women’s National League Division One season after a 2-0 win at Leeds United last week.
Preston told the club’s website: “It was a hard fought game. Everyone is chipping in. Today it was Charlotte scoring, last week it was Molly Firth. Everyone is finding a way to contribute and put in a shift.
“We are a difficult side to break down and we have two clean sheets, which is great. Leeds and Stockport will both be top four and challenging for the title so for us to win on home soil gets the confidence up but both are huge victories.”
Glen Preston
Firth, making her first start, forced Stockport goalkeeper Lucy Farrell into an early save while Ella Duffield set up Leah Embley whose right-footed effort was blocked.
Stockport threatened after the break and Lily Weston hit the bar before Kenedy Owen received the ball 25 yards out and fired over.
Town keeper Kacey Bolton-Woollam produced two stand-out saves to deny Emily Bradshaw and Chloe Fisher.
Huddersfield’s winner came in the 63rd minute when the ball fell to Stuart on the edge of the box. She produced an improvised finish to fire past Farrell.
Kate Mallin was denied by a fingertip save from Farrell and the Town defence held out at the other end.
Preston will reward his squad with a day off training on Tuesday ahead of a busy week which includes Doncaster Rovers Belles visiting the Stafflex Arena in the FAWNL Cup on Thursday (August 29) followed by another home game in the league against Norton & Stockton Ancients on Sunday (September 1).
Huddersfield Town fan Molly Firth goes from matchday mascot to scoring the winner at Leeds United
