Huddersfield Town Ladies suffered a first defeat of the season when they went down 5-2 at Stoke City in the FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division.
The sides shared six goals on the opening day, and Town were trailing three minutes into the return.
Stoke were awarded a soft free-kick on the edge of the area, and while the wall blocked the shot, the ball rebounded kindly to a Stoke striker, who made no mistake.
Town’s Sammy Conroy shot wide before Stoke went two up in the 14th minute with a shot from distance.
Poor defending led to a third, then Town had a penalty appeal for handball turned down.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, Stoke more or less sealed the win with a fourth.
Emily Heckler shot over the bar just before the break, then Conroy had a header well saved early in the second half.
Stoke broke away in the 48th minute to make it five.
With half an hour remaining, manager Glen Preston made a triple substitution.
Captain Kate Mallin was pushed further upfield and within five minutes, her cross was well finished by Heckler, her 12th goal in four games.
With 15 minutes left, Conroy played in Mallin, who smashed the ball home.
Substitute Kate Barnes came close before Town had another penalty appeal turned down.
Nottingham Forest visit Storthes Hall on Sunday (2.00).
Town’s development team went down 2-1 at Stockport County in their opening FAWPL Reserves Northern Division game. They led through Courtney Kaye, but Stockport struck twice in the second half.
Town travel to Blackburn Rovers on Sunday (2.00).
The Under 16s began their fifth season together with an 8-0 win at Dronfield Town in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Girls League.
Jodie Lodge opened the scoring before Claudia Smith-Calvert, who is back with Town after a spell away, scored twice in close succession.
The influential Tara Duce shot home from distance before Smith-Calvert completed her hat trick.
Second-half changes meant Town lost some of their fluency, but there were still three more goals, from Ella Harris, Eleanor Smith and Imogen Pow.
Town travel to Wickersley Youth on Saturday.
The Under 14s notched nine without replay at Whiston Wildcats.
Courtney Livsey claimed a first-half hat trick with Harriett Waller (2) Jessica Barrow and Abigail Crabtree also scoring. Barrow and Olivia Burgin netted in the second half.
Frances Keddie was man of the match for Town, who host Sheffield United Community on Saturday.
The new Under 12 team drew 3-3 at home to Sheffield United Community.
A double by speedy midfielder Laura Hulme sealed a point after Town had trailed 3-1, the equaliser coming with three minutes left.
Player of the match Jada Simon scored the first for Town, who settled after a tentative start.
Town are at home to Doncaster Belles on Saturday.
