Huddersfield Town Ladies’ FA Women’s Cup run was ended as they went down 4-1 despite a plucky performance against Premier League Coventry City in their second-round tie at Storthes Hall.
The Midlands side had the better of the opening stages and went close with a shot which flew just over, then a header which was narrowly wide.
Town, of the Northern Combination, gradually settled and had a string of corners as they put the visitors under pressure.
However two well-taken breakaway goals gave Coventry a 2-0 half-time lead.
Town started the second half with more belief, and their reward came in the 50th minute, when they were awarded a penalty for handball, Kate Mallin scoring.
Three minutes later, Emily Heckler hit a post, and in the 60th minute, the same player had a free-kick tipped over by the keeper.
But with 25 minutes remaining, Coventry made it 3-1 with another goal on the counter.
Town continued to press, and on 75, Heckler broke clear and was brought down by the keeper.
Debbie Hastings had put the ball in the net, but the referee had already blown for the spot-kick.
Mallin again stepped up and scored, but as Town celebrated, they were told to take the kick again after encroachment, and this time, Mallin’s effort was well saved.
Coventry continued to counter attack as Town tried to claw their way back into the game, and on three occasions, Laura Carter saved her side with good one-on-one saves.
However, she couldn’t stop Coventry from making it 4-1 in the closing minutes.
Town visit Hepworth United for a West Riding FA Women’s Cup clash on Sunday (1.00).
Town’s second string face Leeds United in a Premier League Reserve Northern Division game at Storthes Hall (2.00).
Town’s Under 16s returned to the top of their Sheffield and Hallamshire Girls’ League table on goal difference with a 2-1 win at second-placed Handsworth.
Showing no signs of sluggishness after the festive break, Town went ahead from their first attack.
Katie Lockwood seized on a loose ball in midfield and showed great pace to get clear of the Handsworth defence before slotting the ball past the advancing keeper.
Town continued to press down both flanks, but no more goals were scored in the first half.
After hitting the bar early in the second-half, Handsworth equalised with a fine headed goal from a corner.
Town responded well, and grabbed the winner as striker Jess Holland took advantage of a loose backpass, shooting past the advancing keeper.
The Under 16s are without a game this weekend (they are next in action against Sheffield United Blades on Saturday week).
The Under 14s, who also lead their table (by two points from Doncaster Belles), travel to third-placed Millmoor Juniors on Saturday (11.00).
Town’s Under 12s, who are fifth, lost 1-0 at fourth-placed Chesterfield despite having the bulk of the possession.
They struggled to find a way through the packed defence and failed to get clean shots in on goal.
And the hosts made them pay as they scored 10 minutes into the game with a well worked breakaway goal.
Olivia Beaumont went closest for Huddersfield as her first-half shot shaved the Chesterfield post, but Town rarely got beyond the back of the hosts’ solid back four.
Next Saturday, the Under 12s entertain Shaw Lane Aquaforce at Grange Moor, with kick-off at 10.30am.
