'Change of mindset' keeps Huddersfield Town Women on course at top of table
The Terriers made it seven clean sheets in a row with a 3-0 victory over Chorley that extends their unbeaten streak to 11 games in all competitions
Huddersfield Town maintained their hold on the top of FA WNL Division One North with a three-goal victory over Chorley.
Louise Biggins was a key player on the pitch and scored two out of the three goals, the latter her 14th goal of the season. The first came from the penalty spot late in the first half, with Biggins stepping up after being brought down after receiving Beth Stanfield’s ball into the box.
Biggins turned creator as Town doubled their lead just after the hour, playing a lovely ball over the top for Laura Elford to finish with a well-taken dink over the keeper.
Fliss Jones then made an instant impact just moments after coming off the bench by putting in a peach of a ball for Biggins to finish from close range after taking a deft touch.
The result keeps Town top of the table and a point ahead of Leeds, who kept on the pressure with a 5-1 win away to York City.
That latest victory also marks seven clean sheets for the Terriers — which is no accident, according to Town boss Glenn Preston.
He said: “We knew it was going to be a touch challenge today, I think the weather and the pitch made it very scrappy as well which is never easy.
“I think we’ve gone deep into the psychology this year. My background is sports psychology. I think last season we didn’t do enough in that area and I think that is why we fell short, even though for me we were still the best footballing side last season.
“I think this year its about changing the mindset of the players. We found ways to lose last year, however this year this group are so much stronger and so much more resilient. They find ways to win and I think seven clean sheets in a row sort of backs that as well.”
Three wins from their remaining four games would guarantee Town the title — and any slip-ups from Leeds would lighten that requirement.
Town are now determined to keep their eyes on the prizes, with Preston adding: “[Being top of the league] means everything. Everyone’s got their own motivations and I want everyone to see what those motivations are: what are they doing it for and why do they turn up?
“For me, I keep telling them I want to win for them because they deserve it, they’re the best team in the league. I want to win for myself too, it’s a little bit of a redemption arc from the last couple of years. The club has stuck by me and to repay that faith would be huge.
“And for my staff, I want them to have that winner’s CV for when they apply for jobs in the future. There’s a lot of motivations — Kevin Nagle as well, for him backing us. We need to keep thinking of those motivations.”
Town’s next scheduled league game is away to Blackburn Rovers at Clitheroe FC on Sunday 12th April.