Huddersfield Town Women qualify for FA Cup with victory over Spennymoor
Braces from Hannah Burgess and Molly Firth along with an own goal saw Town see-off their lower league opponents with a 5-1 win.
Hannah Burgess enjoyed a “lovely” afternoon after she helped herself to a first half brace in Town’s comfortable victory.
Her two goals were followed by Molly Firth’s first two of the season and an own goal to put Town in the hat for the next round.
After an admittedly ‘erratic’ first 20 minutes, Town eventually took control over the side a level below them in the pyramid through Burgess’ persistence.
A brilliant through ball saw Burgess cause chaos between the onrushing Spennymoor keeper and backtracking defender.
As the two collided on the edge of the box, the winger, playing up front in place of the injured Laura Elford, slotted the ball into the empty net.
Burgess then had a second ruled out after Kate Mallin was ruled offside in the build up but didn’t have to wait long for a second to stand.
Mallin raced down the left and whipped a low cross where Burgess delightfully steered home at the near post from close range to make it 2-0.
The second half began much like the first - quiet but scrappy in blustery conditions.
But Town burst to life with three quick goals in six minutes just after the hour mark.
Burgess turned provider with a powerful run down the left - squaring the ball to an unmarked Molly Firth to tap in her first of the season.
Two minutes later she had her brace. Firth picked the ball up on half way, played a neat one-two with Mallin before slotting home for 4-0.
As Town piled on the pressure they forced their own luck as they made it five. Spennymoor ‘keeper, Phillipa Hunter can feel hard done by as she initially dealt with Mallin’s free kick before pulling of a magnificent save to deny Burgess her hat trick from close range. However, when it’s not your day, it’s not your day. In making the save, the ball came back off the bar and hit Hunter before trickling over the line for an own goal.
Late on, Spennymoor bundled home a consolation after a corner caused issues and the ball fell to Sophie Hodgson to poke through a crowd of players.
After the game, Burgess said: “It was a good game. I thought we played well.
“The first 20 minutes we were a bit erratic up top and didn’t put the ball where we wanted to play it but we eventually got going.
“We then managed to play well throughout the game.
“I really enjoyed it and managed to get two so it was lovely.”
Playing against a team from a different division can be difficult and Burgess admitted it took time for Town to work their opponents out.
She added: “It was a good battle for the first 20 but we just needed to work out how we were going to break them down properly.
“Then as soon as we got our first two goals we were flying.
“I’ve never played in the FA Cup before so it was a nice challenge and a new experience.
“Even if you’re playing against a team in a lower division it’s always going to be a hard game but if we play our football we’ll be okay.”
Manager Glen Preston was equally pleased to see his team get their name into the hat for the next round and will be hoping to emulate, if not exceed, last season’s run to the third round.
He told We Are Terriers: “I’m delighted. When it comes to FA Cup games the other thing that really matters is being in the hat for the next round.
“But to do it with a professional edge like we did and avoid becoming one of those underdog stories where you’ve been knocked out is very pleasing.”