Huddersfield Town Women player ratings from frustrating 1-0 defeat at Chorley

Town hit the woodwork twice, had a goal disallowed and lost two players to head injuries after going behind in the first minute

Kacey Bolton-Woollam - 7

Given no chance as Chorley took the lead with an accurate long-range strike to the top corner just 20 seconds in. Saved well low to her right to keep the hosts to a 1-0 lead just before the half hour, and again at her near post just after the break.

Autumn Housley - 6

Decently robust defensive performance. Sacrificed midway through the second period to allow a change of shape.

Beth Ibbotson - 7

A slight mixed bag of a first half with a fantastic recovery tackle to stop a one-v-one early on, but was slow to react to a dangerous ball and thus allowed Chorley to get in later on. Did more good than bad, though, and stopped another dangerous-looking counter after the break

Kia Montgomery - 6

Was having a decent enough game before suffering a blow to the head that forced her off midway through the first half.

Rebecca Beresford - 7

Powerful presence up the right flank, and worked cleverly and hard to minimise the pace advantage of her opposite number. Had a chance to help Town find a near-immediate equaliser but made a hash of her final ball with good options available. Overall good responsible performance, though, especially after shifting to right-back.

Beth Stanfield - 6

Looked to have been fouled as she lost possession in the opening few seconds, only to watch as Millie Fitzpatrick smashed the loose ball into the top corner with a dipping long-ranger. Started in central midfield but had to move into the back three after Montgomery’s injury.

Caz Simone - 6

Energetic central midfield display. Made some important challenges. Had a chance taken off their boot by a teammate just before half time, much to their irritation, which continued into the second half. Crowded out in an increasingly congested middle of the park. Sin-binned after understandably protesting the shove the sentence Molly Firth off the pitch and into the barrier.

Yasmin Mason - 6

Balancing out a first half 4 and a second half 8 here. Got into the right areas, but frustrating and frustrated in the first half with too many needless offsides and heavy touches. Looked determined to put that right in the second half with a much-improved performance and created a couple of presentable chances that went unfinished. Crowded out by the keeper after going clean through late on then saw Firth hit the post off her pass.

Leah Embley - 5

Took the wrong option at the end of a three-on-two in Town’s favour, taking a tame effort on goal when the pass to either of two teammates looked the better option. Kept working away to try and create more. Had a simple finish off a set piece ruled out for offside and hit the bar with what looked like an attempted cross.

Kate Mallin - 6

Nominally in the middle of the Town front three, but usually played a wide-drifting hold-up role in the attack.

Ella Duffield - 5

Did well to keep a set piece alive and beat her opponent before shooting straight at the keeper just before half time. Unable to make the most cutbacks from either Mason or Firth after the break.

Substitutes

Charlotte Stuart (for Montgomery 27) - On to play in central midfield and did a solid job. Forced a save with a header from a Mallin corner. 6

Molly Firth (for Housley 69) - Played left wing as Town shifted shape and made a difference. Unlucky to hit the post in the dying stages, and suffered a horrible collision with the metal barrier in injury time that split her head open and left Town furious that a penalty hadn’t been given. 7

Scarlett McMahon (for Mallin 74) - Took over at centre-forward for the closing stages. n/a

Caitlin Devins (for Firth 90+10) - n/a

Unused substitutes: None