HUDDERSFIELD Town Ladies are looking forward to a big cup final on Sunday.
Having retained second place in the North East Regional Women’s League Premier Division despite not playing at the weekend (both their leading rivals lost), Micky Booth’s side are rested and ready for their showpiece.
Town take on Midlands Combination leaders Rotherham United Ladies in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup final and aim to return with the silverware, even though the opposition are one level higher in the pyramid.
The match is at Stocksbridge Park Steels FC, Bracken Moor Lane, Stocksbridge and kicks off at 2pm.
Town would appreciate as much travelling support as possible as they bid to return with the Challenge Cup.
It will be a tough call as Rotherham are unbeaten in the league this season, but with their recent run of good form (unbeaten in all competitions since early November) Town go into the game full of confidence.
Managed for the last 10 years by Booth, he reckons this is the strongest squad of players that he has had at his disposal, with many more to come through from the junior ranks.
Town’s Under 17s are unbeaten so far this season and many of those players will progress to the first team in 2011-12.
A young, hard working and skilful team – the first-team squad this season has an average age of only 21 – Town’s star is ex-England Under 19 and Doncaster Belles player, Emily Heckler, who joined in November 2009 and now captains the side.
So far this season she has scored 43 goals in 19 games and she will be 22 on Sunday – so hopes to celebrate her birthday in style by lifting the Cup.
The Under 17s’ latest win was 2-1 at Tingley, Shameeka Fishley getting both goals.
The game went right to the wire with Town managing to hold on to their advantage secured in the 75th minute of a tense and nerve-racking game.
Shauna Messenger hit a post before Tingley went in front on 20 minutes.
Town approached the second half a tighter and more controlled unit and with 13 minutes of the half played Fishley took a low cross, acrobatically knocking the ball past the Tingley keeper.
Town remained on top for much of the second period but couldn't manage to find the net until 15 minutes from time when Fishley again showed her class and skill on the ball, setting herself up for a fine volley low into the net.
This was a battling display by Town, showing their character as a well organised and composed unit. They hope to continue in the same way when they visit Lepton in the league cup semi-final on Sunday (10.30).
The Under 15s won 12-0 at Oakworth Juniors with one of their best displays of the season.
From the start they took charge playing with purpose and control. The passing and movement was first class with goals being scored at regular intervals.
Town led 6- 0 at half time with goals from Alice Linsell (2), Jodie Berry (2), Georgia Hamilton and Bex Moore.
The second half continued in the same manner, goalkeeper Seana Potts and her defence being rewarded with their first clean sheet of the season.
Town scored six more with Linsell, Berry and Hamilton completing their hat tricks and Moore and Mel Sutcliffe scoring one each.
The Under 13s won 4-2 against Handsworth – another best performance of the season.
Well beaten by Handsworth in the opening game of the season, this time they dominated the first 20 minutes and striker Katie Lockwood bagged a hat trick without reply after five, 16 and 20 minutes.
Handsworth started to come into the game and were clean through on two occasions when only excellent saves from player of the match Emilia Samuels kept Town ahead.
With only a minute of the first half remaining Handsworth got a goal back.
The second half was much more even with Handsworth having long period of possession.
On 55 minutes, however, Town went 4-1 up after a corner from Lockwood was struck powerfully home by Amy Thompson.
For the remainder of the half Town kept Handsworth at bay, but they scored a consolation goal with two minutes left. The Under 13s are at Hoyland Town on Saturday (10.30).
