A mucky match in Huddersfield

This week, Batley played Huddersfield away. We were welcoming back some old faces this week. Helen and Sarah, it was great to have you back on the team!

There was a tense time in the build up to the match, 4 of our players we’re running late and unlikely to make the start, last minute plans for a 9 man side were in place. Thankfully, Huddersfield were happy to delay a few minutes while we waited for the rest of the team to arrive.

The game started strong Huddersfield were making the most of the space and their initial attack took the Batley defence by surprise. An early goal put Huddersfield 1-0 up in the first 5 minutes. The match did get a bit scrappy and there were some interesting umpiring decisions on both sides (that’s my non-committal explanation).

Batley regrouped and organised their marking, tightening up on the loose players in midfield and making the most of the space themselves. Some excellent passing lead to the first Batley GOAL by Kim. Excellent marking held Huddersfield off the attack and allowed Batley to continue to intercept free hits. Kim’s first goal was soon followed by a second GOAL. The half time whistle went with the score 2-1 to Batley.

In the second half Batley were determined to extend their lead and continued to attack the Huddersfield goal. Huddersfield weren’t taking it lying down, they made some great runs into the Batley half with two dangerous looking attackers. Batley managed to mark these well and shut down on any breaks through the defence.

A scramble in the Huddersfield D allowed Janna to capitalise and score the third GOAL for Batley. Jodi followed this with the fourth GOAL, with two minutes to go, Batley were 4-1 up and confident. Huddersfield weren’t finished though, with the last attack of the match, they took advantage of some confusion in the Batley D to make the final score 4-2 to Batley just as the final whistle blew.

Both teams walked away slightly bruised and looking like we’d played on a muddy field rather than an astro. Man of the match went to Kim for her relentless attacking through midfield.

Next week, Barnsley at home.

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