Huddersfield Town ladies moved up to second in the Northern Women’s Combination League with a good away win 5-3 at Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough gained an early lead, but on 23 minutes Emily Heckler played Kate Mallin in and she levelled the scores.

Two minutes later Middlesbrough regained the lead again and when Town immediately tried to hit back Heckler crashed a shot against the Boro bar.

Heckler had a shot well saved a minute later and then Alarna Fuller’s header went just wide of the post.

In the 37th minute Debbie Hastings played a ball in from the left which was missed by the home defence and Mallin levelled the scores again.

With four minutes of the first half remaining, Heckler burst down the left wing and crossed for Mallin to complete her hat trick.

Town started the second half in brisk fashion and Heckler went on a solo run, beating the keeper to increase Town’s lead.

Despite the number of goals being scored, Becks Lillystone in the Boro goal was having a good game and she came to the home side’s rescue in the 53rd minute when a Mallin cross was met by Heckler’s head and Lillystone managed to get low to her right to push the ball around the post.

However, she had no answer to Mallin’s fourth goal when a shot from a tight angle flew over the keeper into the net.

With half an hour to go Boro scored another well taken goal, but Town held on for the win, with defender Laura Windle being named player of the match.

The team continue their title challenge when they travel to Sheffield United on Sunday (2pm).

Town Ladies Under 16 side suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Handsworth, which had the visitors celebrating as they became the newly crowned league champions.

Town went into the game knowing that their title chase was over, while Handsworth knew that a victory was required to claim the title and the visitors started brightly.

Town goalkeeper Amelia Samuels made two good saves in the opening 15 minutes before another quick break by Handsworth was bundled into the net after Town failed to clear.

Town were unlucky not to equalise when right back Chloe Hellawell dispossessed the Handsworth winger and played a perfectly-weighted ball to Maddie Walsh. who broke through the Handsworth defence but both her shot was blocked by the advancing keeper.

Town started the second half strongly and looked more dangerous, particularly from set pieces.

Town’s best chance came from a corner on the hour, but as the ball flashed across the penalty area no Town player was able to apply the finishing touch.

Handsworth wrapped up the game, and the title, with their second goal on 65 minutes.

The Under 16 side play their final game of the season on Saturday at home (Grange Moor) to Sheffield United Junior Blades.

Town’s Under 14 side’s 13-match winning run came to an end at Grange Moor when they were held to a 1–1 draw by Wickersley Youth.

Laura Walker headed Town in front from a Tara Duce corner and two minutes later they could have extended the lead when top scorer Amy Broomhead’s shot went narrowly wide.

Wickersley started the second half well and found an equaliser frocing Town – already crowned champions – to settle for a draw.

On Saturday the Under 14 squad travel to Dronfield Town (11am).

Town’s Under 12 side went down by 2-1 away to title contenders Sheffield Wednesday.

Wednesday scored their opener in the seventh minute when they broke clear to score a good goal.

With two minutes of the half remaining Olivia Burgin almost equalised when she shot just wide of the mark.

Town started the second half strongly and within three minutes of the restart Olivia Beaumont managed to equalise when she prodded the ball home, but with 20 minutes of the game remaining Wednesday took the lead again.

On Saturday the Under 12 side are at home the Whiston Wildcats (Grange Moor, 10.30am).

Click here to take you back to more Sports news.

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here

To follow us on Twitter click here