Huddersfield Town Women manager Glen Preston pleased with 0-0 draw at Chorley
The goalless draw means they fall behind in the hunt for promotion from FAWNL Division One North
Huddersfield Town Women manager Glen Preston was pleased with a point in what he described as a “must not lose” fixture as they were held to a 0-0 draw.
His side’s promotion hopes suffered a blow as they were held to a goalless draw at 5th placed Chorley - but he was pleased with a point against a tough opponent.
In a game lacking any real quality, Town’s only real threat seemed to be in the shape of Rhema Lord-Mears who forced Chorley ‘keeper Finch into a smart save after cutting in from the right.
Clearcut chances were few and far between but from the resulting corner captain Beth Stanfield could only steer the ball to Finch from close range.
Chorley were having some joy going forward too, though, with a cross finding Taylor Gunn in the box but Bethan Davies pulled off a smart stop.
There was almost a calamity for Town early in the second half as a harmless cross wasn’t dealt with by Davies and the ball squirmed through her legs but just past the far post for a corner.
Town tried to change things up with Fliss Jones moving central and Hannah Burgess returning to her more natural role out wide and it almost paid dividends. Burgess broke the lines with a brilliant pass but a Chorley defender brilliantly denied Jones with a fine block.
Lord-Mears then tried her luck from range twice - once striking the post before a second effort didn’t quite dip enough and sailed over the bar.
The hosts had a late chance to nick it but Davies superbly tipped an effort over the bar before managing to get hold of the ball from the resulting corner.
Ultimately, a poor day for Town who now find themselves in third, three points behind leaders Cheadle and second placed Wythenshawe who both picked up three points.
Manager Glen Preston was remaining positive after the game saying: “It’s a really tough game. Chorley away is always one of the toughest games on the calendar.
“We got a result today. Whilst we’d have loved to have won, the most important thing for us today is to not lose.
“What’s disappointing is we’ve created some of the best chances of the game and we haven’t put them away - their keeper’s pulled off some great saves.
“Overall, it’s probably a fair result.
“Sometimes you look at games and it’s a must not lose and we haven’t so we’re pleased with that.”
But whilst he was pleased with the result, he was disappointed with how his side executed their game plan.
He added: “I said to their manager after the game that they’ve got a spine full of tall, powerful players. The more direct the game went the more it suited them.
“It was part of our plan to go a bit direct and get in behind them but it was only part of the plan. I was disappointed we didn’t play a little bit more football - we wanted to mix it up and play.”
After the game, full-back Rebecca Beresford admitted the team weren’t quite at it throughout the game.
She said: “It was a challenging game. We know Chorley are a tough opposition but we didn’t get going in the first half.
“We were better in the second but we’re disappointed with the result”
Next up for Town Women is the visit of Leeds United in the FA Women’s Cup at the Stafflex Arena on 23 November.