Huddersfield Town Women ratings from well-deserved win at Durham
The Terriers come away with a fantastic 3-2 victory in the North-East
Kacey Bolton-Woollam - 6
Nothing to be done about Durham’s goal: the ball was played across her box and tapped in at the back stick. Had good presence in the penalty area, coming to collect the ball when required. Made an unbelievable diving stop late-on with a strong right hand but couldn’t get up off the deck before it was stuck into her net for Durham’s second.
Ria Montgomery - 7
Went flying down the right side to give help to Leah Embley. Lofted an inviting cross into the box that was met by Stuart to give Town the lead. Caught out positionally for Durham’s equaliser, finding herself too high allowing for plenty of space in behind her.
Autumn Housley - 7
Shifted into the centre of the defence for this game. Often used her body to shepherd the ball out of play when Durham attempted to knock it beyond her. Has the habit of diving into challenges… not a problem when she wins the majority of them.
Beth Ibbotson- 6
Consistently the loudest on the field, providing instructions and motivation for Town throughout. Got Town on the front foot by driving the ball forward, encouraging her side to follow suit.
Rebecca Beresford - 7
Moved forward from her left-back position to aid Kate Mallin when Town went down that wing. Part of a really nice move in the second half where she had driven into the box and hit a right footed shot that required a diving save from the Durham keeper.
Leah Embley - 8
Continued her strong form on the right wing. Looked dangerous when going forward, delivering crosses that weren’t taken advantage off. Had a decent opportunity when she cut back onto her left foot but her strike wasn’t the finest. Scored Town’s second lurking at the back stick, connecting with a Mallin cross and putting it beyond the goalkeeper, great goal. Doubled her tally for the afternoon when she finished from the penalty spot.
Charlotte Stuart - 8
Arrived late in the box to strike a well-timed half volley into the net to give Town the lead. Her delayed runs into the danger area are increasingly becoming one of Town’s main points of attack. Could have had a second when she went one-on-one with Durham’s keeper but she steered her shot just wide of the left post. Earned Town a penalty when she prodded the ball past the keeper and was brought down in the box.
Beth Stanfield - 6
Sat in front of her defence in a defensive midfield role that we have seen her play this season. Her discipline in positioning helped Town recover the ball when Durham looked to counter. Struggled to nod the ball toward goal when the ball looped to her at the back post but it would have been tough to generate enough power to cause trouble.
Ella Duffield - 6
Functioning a little deeper now Stuart is playing the higher role. Efficient on the ball, keeping things moving for Town. Dropped alongside Stanfield to provide more defensive structure at points.
Kate Mallin - 8
Came more into the game in the second half as Town stretched the Durham defence wider. Worked incredibly hard to keep Beresford’s ball down the line in play, where she had time and space to perfectly execute a cross across the box, finding Embley at the back who tucked home.
Scarlett McMahon - 6
Town’s striker. Linked the ball well with the midfield. Had a glorious opportunity to give Town the lead when the ball was spilled to her in a crowded six-yard box, but she blasted the chance over the bar.
Substitutes
Ashley Tiripke (for McMahon 80) - Thought she had a free run on goal when she got in behind but was rightly flagged for offside. 6
Molly Firth (for Mallin 80) - Cut in from the left wing and was urged to shoot by her team but her effort on goal was rather tame. 6
Unused substitutes: Lauren Joyce.