Huddersfield Town Ladies emerged from a spell of weather-enforced hibernation to chalk up a 5-1 home win over Liverpool Feds which kept their Northern Women’s Combination title hopes alive.

The victory put them fourth, four points behind leaders Chorley with four games in hand on them.

Town’s last league game had been a 3-2 triumph at Chorley on December 8.

And they were distinctly rusty in the first half, when keeper Charlotte Oates, back from injury, made a number of vital saves.

Alarna Fuller did head against the Feds bar midway through the first half, and both Emily Heckler and Debbie Hastings had chances.

Just before the break, Alice Linsell put Town ahead with an excellent long-range strike, but a minute later, Feds levelled.

Town came out for the second half in a more determined mood, and regained the lead in the 53rd minute, when Heckler ran from her own half and finished neatly.

She struck again after 64 minutes, and after an escape when Feds hit the bar, Kate Mallin made the game secure when her attempted cross flew over the keeper’s head and into the net.

Mallin then turned provider when she crossed for Hastings to complete the scoring.

Feds again hit the bar in the final minute while left-back Dominique Balmond who named Town’s player of the match.

Town take on third-placed Middlesbrough at Storthes Hall on Sunday (2.00).

A young Town second string were beaten 4-0 at home to Nottingham Forest in the Women’s Premier League Reserve Northern Division.

Sixteen-year-old Alex Bailey was player of the match on her debut.

Newcastle come to Storthes Hall on Sunday (2.00).

The Under 16s were without a game at the weekend but face Sheffield United Junior Blades in a Sheffield and Hallamshire Girl’s League game at Storthes Hall on Saturday (10.30).

The Under 14s were 8-1 home winners against Dronfield Town while the Under 12s were beaten 5-0 at Handsworth Juniors (reports tomorrow).

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