Late winner for Ladies 3s

Barnsley I 1-2 Halifax III

After a win in the first round of the Cup last outing, Halifax started this Yorkshire Division 3 match brightly. They were on top for the first quarter of the match with some good forward play by Vicki Ferdinando, Emma Clarkson and Annie Denton, as a result of a high work rate by Hannah Cottrill, Zoe Ribchester and Nicola Boulton in midfield. They deservedly went ahead through Denton and within minutes thought they had doubled their lead when Clarkson’s persistence forced the ball over the Barnsley goal line but it was ruled out for an infringement.

A period of Barnsley pressure before half time led to a short corner which was stopped on the line by the feet of Sharon Crawshaw, leading to a penalty flick. Goalkeeper Kiera Hayman who was returning to the third team after several games with the seconds, rose to the challenge and made a tremendous save to ensure Halifax took their lead into the break.

The second half had few open chances at either end with Halifax looking the more likely to add to their lead. Halifax’s defence of Hayman, Alison McManus and Steph Hoyle held the upper hand over the Barnsley attack. However it was Barnsley who scored next following the award of a dubious corner.

In what became a tense end to the match Halifax managed to score following a frantic few seconds in the Barnsley goalmouth after the keeper had failed to clear a Lydia Robinson shot. Annie Denton was on hand to force the ball over the line and grab a deserved winner.