Beth Ibbotson 'proud' of resolute Huddersfield Town Women’s defence after third straight cleans heet
Louise Biggins’ second half penalty was enough to claim a 1-0 win over Durham Cestria and remain top of FA WNL Division One North kept them top of the table
Huddersfield Town Women defender Beth Ibbotson says she’s ‘proud to be a part of’ Town’s back line after helping the Terriers claim a third straight 1-0 win to remain top of the FA WNL Division One North table.
Ibbotson and the rest of the Town defence held firm against Durham Cestria without giving their visitors anything resembling a clear cut chance.
Ibbotson had an injury-hit start to the season, but after starting her third league game in a row, the defender is just relieved to be back playing after a frustrating end to 2025.
She told We Are Terriers: “I’m feeling fresh. I’m feeling much better now.
“I’m getting fitter and feeling more myself again with getting the consistency and momentum with playing every game.
“I feel good and I’m excited to see what’s to come for the team.
“The clean sheet is like a goal for me. It’s our fourth clean sheet of the season and third in a row.
“We’re on a good run and the back line is consistent now and it’s showing. I’m proud to be a part of it and back playing.”
With the weather playing havoc with the playing surface, there were a few misplaced touches on both sides but the defender thought her side dealt with the conditions well.
“We realised it wasn’t a day to play football”, she said.
“In the middle and final third we tried to play but from the back we started to go long and use the power we have up front. That’s how we adapted and dealt with the conditions today.
In a game of few chances, Louise Biggins popped up with a moment of magic to win and then dispatch the second half spot kick, not only keeping Town top but also ending Durham’s seven game winning run in the league.
And Glen Preston once again hailed his side’s strength of character as they came up against the league’s form side.
He told We Are Terriers: “This was a real banana skin game because they’ve won seven in a row and are the most in-form team in the league.
“So to win 1-0 is an unbelievable result.
“And it’s another clean sheet, which we’re really priding ourselves on at the moment. We haven’t conceded yet this year. Long may that continue.”
Once again Town showed their resilient side against a stubborn Durham outfit. Something Preston is pleased to see after previous campaigns saw his side fall off when conditions deteriorated.
He added: “We’re the best footballing team in this league but we’ve always had a question mark against us when the pitches turn.
“Can we do it when you have to win duels, fight and grind out results? And the last few weeks has shown we’re capable of that.
“We can battle. Even back to the Doncaster game we had to play with 10 players for most of the second half. We’ve had to seriously battle and make sure that we get games over the line and this team is gaining from it and gaining momentum.
“I feel team has got belief now. Previously, they’ve always doubted. But I see a dressing room here that believes they can win in any manner they need to.
“We brought in players like Bethan [Davies] who’s been fantastic for us. She deals with everything thrown at her.
“Then we sign Neve who’s an absolute trojan in the middle of the pitch. She’s a warrior who gives us so much bite - you rarely see her lose a duel.
“Players like [Laura] Elford and Biggins we brought in to help us go more direct if we needed to.”
It’s not all good news, however, as after the game Preston confirmed defender Serena Fletcher will miss the rest of the season with the injury that’s kept her out since the opening weeks.
And he’s also sweating over the fitness of Laura Elford who took a knock during the winning goal last week at Leeds. Preston confirmed they’re waiting for a prognosis but admitted the striker could miss anywhere between a week and six weeks, meaning she could also be out for the rest of the season.
The games come thick and fast for Town now with visit of Norton and Stockton Ancients next Sunday.