Huddersfield Town Women player ratings as they squeeze past the Millers
Town secured a 2-0 home victory over Rotherham United in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup
Lauren Joyce - 7
Sharp off her line to deal with an under-hit back pass that would have led to a one-on-one opportunity for Rotherham. Wasn’t particularly tested but kept a clean sheet nonetheless.
Rebecca Beresford - 6
There were clear intentions for both full-backs to be as offensive as possible. Even so, Beresford had to rein it in when Rotherham began to push forward more regularly.
Serena Fletcher - 6
Needed to put a bit more weight on a few passes back to Joyce. Will be thankful that her keeper was alert enough to deal with them.
Beth Stanfield- 6
Put in a competent first half display. Nothing to report. Didn’t reappear after the half-time break.
Yasmin Mason - 7
Town’s left-back on paper, but far from it on the ball. Caused the Millers’ right-back Amanda Millar (coincidence) nightmares as Town overloaded the left flank. Picked up a knock that meant she didn’t appear for the second half.
Ella Duffield - 6
Has created a strong bond alongside Simone, providing stability and balance at the base of midfield.
Caz Simone - 6
They did well to create a bit of space on the edge of the box early on, but their effort whistled wide of the mark. A nuisance as usual, relentlessly pressing and tackling in the midfield.
Charlotte Stuart - 6
Began to get further forward in the second half. Her movement complemented the work of new signing Katie Astle. She had a great chance to score Town’s second when Leah Embley dinked the ball towards her in space. Stuart’s glancing header didn’t have enough contact to find the target.
Molly Firth - 6
Slid an inviting ball across the box in the first half, but somehow, it wasn’t met by one of the four Town players lurking in the danger zone. Moved to left-back after the break but still managed to get forward and sweep in at the back post to give Town the lead.
Scarlett McMahon - 6
Held up the ball well in the first half. Didn’t have a sniff in the box. Replaced at the interval.
Ashley Tiripke - 6
Looked dangerous in the early spells, operating as an inside forward. Unfortunately, she had to depart with what looked like a shoulder issue after 20 minutes.
Substitutes
Kate Mallin (for Tiripke 22) - Took over set-piece duty immediately and then assumed the captaincy in the second half. Dithered in possession initially, but eventually whipped in a ball to Firth, who tapped home. 7
Katie Astle (for McMahon 45) - Came on for her first minutes in a Town kit. She will know that she should have scored when the ball dropped to her six yards from goal but she fluffed her shot into the keeper’s arms. Finally got her goal to kill the game off as she scored from ten yards out. 7
Leah Embley (for Firth 45) - Increased Town’s productivity from the right. Lofted an incredible ball towards Stuart that should have led to more. Unselfishly, put the ball on a plate for Astle to score her first goal in blue and white. 7
Autumn Housley (for Stanfield 45) - Comfortable running the defence from the middle. Didn’t put a foot wrong, as we have come to expect. Came close to scoring with a sublime diving header that just went over the bar. 7