Huddersfield Town Women FC have again reached the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup Final where they will face Doncaster Rovers Belles at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The Terriers have a proud history in the competition having won it in 2017, 2018 and last year. They beat Barnsley FC 5-0 at the Keepmoat Stadium on a glorious day in April 2022.
Town chair Alison Bamforth is hoping the team can successfully defend the trophy and said: “It’s always a great achievement for the team to be playing for silverware, and it’s extra special to have the chance to retain the cup.
“Last year’s final was a great occasion, and we’ll certainly be aiming to repeat those scenes this year. I think it’s the first time Huddersfield Town Women have faced Doncaster Rovers Belles in the County Cup Final, and we know that playing them on home soil does tend to help teams bring their A game so it should be a competitive match.
“We actually played the Belles in the first round of this season’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup back in November at their usual ground, and that day we won 3-0. I’m sure that the Belles will be looking for some revenge.”
The Terriers have performed consistently well in the County Cup in recent seasons and Bamforth said: “Consistency and delivering the best possible performance each week is always the aim.
“The County Cup also offers the opportunity for some of our younger players to make the step up to the first team and show the manager and coaching staff what they can do.
“After a couple of seasons without a County Cup competition due to Covid-19, it’s great to have that chance to play at a big local ground again. Hopefully some of HTWFC’s junior players will be able to go along and watch the game, and get the fire in their bellies to want to be out there on that pitch themselves in years to come.”
In last year’s final Laura Elford scored a hat-trick for Town but she’s recently left for Burnley.
On losing their star striker Bamforth said: “It’s always disappointing to lose players, whatever the circumstances. Burnley are another example of the increasing numbers of women’s teams playing in the Women’s National League that have received significant investment from their men’s club to enable them to become effectively semi-professional, whereas players at Huddersfield Town Women pay subs or find a personal sponsor to play.
“It would be fantastic to be able to make that step ourselves. With a bit of luck any new owner acquiring Huddersfield Town may prove to be our fairy godmother/godfather.”
The Terriers’ squad is going through a transformation and results haven’t been as good as they’d hope in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division where they sit sixth.
“It’s certainly been a challenging season in the league,” said Bamforth. “Before Christmas the team were building a great run of form but then a series of postponements due to the weather plus Christmas led to an extended break from competitive football which is never ideal.
“Coupled with the significant turnover of players due to retirements, injury, relocation and transfers, consistency of league form hasn’t always been easy to find.
“For now we’ll focus on the County Cup Final and then start looking forward to redoubling our league efforts next season.”
A date for the County Cup Final has yet to be fixed.
