Huddersfield Town Women ratings from 3-2 WNL Cup win at Blackburn
Ella Duffield, Serena Fletcher and Beth Ibbotson all got on the scoresheet as Glen Preston's side claimed victory in their opening group stage game
Bethan Davies - 6
Had little to do except twice pick the ball out of the back of the net having been beaten by a penalty and an unstoppable finish to the bottom corner. Came out to mip up a couple of hopeful long balls. Reassuringly commanding presence at the back.
Rebecca Beresford - 6
Great chase back to stop Blackburn getting an equaliser on the counter-attack from a corner. Could have been a bit more adventurous about taking on her opponent when voyaging forward.
Beth Stanfield - 7
Got forward well from centre-back, playing a lovely through ball for Serena Fletcher as she made it 2-0 and shooting narrowly wide just before the hour with a good curling effort.
Beth Ibbotson - 7
Seemed to get her studs stuck in the turf as she tumbled into Ellie Rice, earning Blackburn a half penalty. Couldn’t get across to Rice as she completed Blackburn’s first-half fightback to 2-2. Read the flight on Kate Mallin’s free kick beautifully to restore Town’s lead in the second half.
Serena Fletcher - 7
Made a smart run to and showed tenacity to get to a through ball and poke it past the keeper. Switched from left-back to right-back for the second half.
Ella Duffield - 7
Left the Blackburn keeper flat-footed as she found the bottom corner from just inside the box to give Town their 2nd-minute lead.
Lauren Griffiths - 6
Helped Town stay in control of the game with an assured midfield showing.
Molly Firth - 6
Chased the ball into the corner and kept it alive to help Town on their way to their opening goal. Looked bright and promising but had to go off with an injury just after the half hour.
Felicity Jones - 7
Had a header tipped onto the post and then cleared off the line in the early going. Nice first touch and caused the Blackburn defence some problems with her bursts into the box. Moved up front in the second half and was agonising close to killing the game off late on, but couldn’t quite reach Mallin’s ball across the face of goal.
Kate Mallin - 8
Had a looping header cleared off the line as Town pushed to extend their 2-1 lead before the break. A constant threat from set pieces and claimed an assist for her birthday with a phenomenal delivery onto Ibbotson’s head as Town went 3-2 up late on. Bossed the game from the left in the second half.
Louise Biggins - 6
Led the line for Town, but willing to drop deep and switch positions with Jones. Put a free header from a corner wide soon after the break that probably should have found the target. Dropped into midfield in the second half.
Substitutes
Hannah Burgess (for Firth 34) - Started as a direct replacement for Firth on the right before moving to the left after the break. 6
Alise Gindra (for Fletcher 60) - Came on the right wing after her two-goal showing at the weekend. 6
Franc Brown (for Biggins 80) - n/a
Unused substitutes: Autumn Housley.