Lauren Joyce penalty heroics help Huddersfield Town see off Doncaster Belles on penalties
Keeper Lauren Joyce comes up trumps as Town's defence of the County Cup rolls on.
Town’s defence of the County Cup continued thanks to Lauren Joyce’s shootout heroics.
Glen Preston’s side had to endure the lottery of penalties to overcome Doncaster Rovers Belles in the quarter final of the County Cup at Denaby Main.
Caz Simone’s lob was cancelled out by Holly Findlay’s buddled effort before Joyce came to the rescue, saving twice in the shootout.
In their quest to reach a ninth final in a row, defending champions Town came up against a resurgent Belles who parted company with manager Ciaran Toner on Friday.
Both teams battled early on but despite their efforts, the ball wouldn’t settle on a difficult pitch.
This caused an early shout for a penalty for the home side when the ball appeared to strike the arm of a Town defender but the referee waved the hosts’ appeals away.
In a first half of little in terms of chances, Molly Firth and Ashley Tiripke saw attempts sail wide whilst Scarlett McMahon’s header was well held by the Belles keeper.
Town continued to dominate proceedings but the Belles stood firm, leaving the visibly frustrated visitors scratching their heads.
Things came to the boil as we moved into first half stoppage time as Simone was booked for a high foot following a number of niggly fouls.
The second half saw the game kick into life. Simone, still feeling aggrieved by the booking, was finding space around the edge of the box – sending two efforts over the bar after the ball came loose from some scrappy play in the area.
And for all their efforts they got their reward after Simone was found in acres of space with a ball over the top. Appeals for offside went ignored and the midfielder cooly lobbed the onrushing keeper from the edge of the box to give Town the lead.
The goal gave Glen Preston the opportunity to make some changes with Kate Mallin, Katie Astle, Fliss Jones and Yasmin Mason bringing fresh legs to the Town side.
Mallin was instantly into the action when her exquisite delivery found an unmarked Beth Ibbotson who crashed a header just wide of the post.
And Town were made to pay for their missed chances when a hopeful ball over the top caused mayhem.
Lauren Joyce misjudged what should have been an easy claim only to see the ball bounce over her. As she was stranded Autumn Housley heroically attempted to keep the ball out but despite her best efforts, Holly Findlay bundled the ball across the line to level it up.
This kicked Town into gear and both teams tried to win it in normal town. The impressive Serena Fletcher could have claimed two late assists thanks to excellent runs and crosses.
Firstly, a cross from the right found an unmarked Astle who sent the chance wide.
Then Fletcher beat her defender, cut into the box and slid the ball across to Mallin who somehow sent the ball over the bar from six-yards. Full time.
With the game going straight to penalties the Belles scored first. Katie Astle stepped up first for Town but dragged it wide.
With all the next four penalties all being scored, Joyce came to the rescue, saving Marelle Carlisle’s kick.
The following five penalties were scored as we headed to sudden death.
Laila Abadi then saw Joyce expertly tip her effort onto the post before Ella Duffield slotted home to send Town through to the semi-final.
Manager Glen Preston said: “It’s not the way we would have wanted to have won it but we’re happy we’re through.
“It wasn’t our best performance but the conditions and the pitch didn’t make it easy or possible to either side to play any football.
“I felt we grew into the game and got better. We were on top for the majority of the game although I don’t want to see their equalising goal again if I can help it.
“She [Joyce] pulled off two great saves. I didn’t know she had this in her but she was playing some mind games which you don’t always see at this level. But it’s worked in her favour. The second save onto the post to win it was brilliant.”
Next up for Town is a return to league action with the visit of Cheadle Town Stingers next Sunday!