Hargreaves hat-trick for Ladies 1s

Halifax were without several key players against bottom of the table Doncaster and with an unusual line up took a while to get going.

By midway through the first half they had settled with Becca Camp giving a solid platform at the back alongside newcomer Rebecca Murray. Helen Boughton controlled the defensive line just in front of the back two and the midfield started to gain good possession.

Laura Neimantas and stand-in skipper Emma Bedford were both threats, driving the team forwards. It was Bedford who created the opening goal, crossing from the right to find Becca Hargreaves who finished from close range. The same pair linked up for the second goal, Bedford popping up on the left to fire a powerful diagonal cross to find Hargreaves unmarked just outside the right post to take a 2-0 lead into half time.

As the second half started a hail storm swept across the Park Lane pitch, causing the match to be halted for five minutes. This appeared to take the wind out of the Halifax sails and the young Doncaster team scored on the break as the Halifax defence parted and watched as the ball was pulled away from keeper Cassie Barker for a forward to miscue, sending it trickling over the goal line.

This shocked Halifax back into action and despite only having a one goal cushion the result never looked in doubt. One attack after another went close with Dani Parker being denied on several occasions.

The game was put beyond Doncaster with five minutes left when Michaela Midgley intercepted a Doncaster hit out, found Parker on the left who crossed to Bedford to shoot. Hargreaves completed her hat trick and a great passing move with a deflection past the hapless keeper.