Rebecca Beresford relishing Accu Stadium stage for Huddersfield Town vs Leeds United
Huddersfield Town Women left-back Rebecca Beresford says Sunday’s game against Leeds United is an exciting moment for the team.
If playing at the Accu Stadium wasn’t big enough for Huddersfield Town Women - throw Leeds United into the mix and it becomes a huge deal.
Whilst managers and players may say it’s ‘just another game’, it’s difficult to ignore the scale of the fixture in the context of the last six months for Town Women - and for defender Rebecca Beresford, it’s going to be a great occasion.
She told We Are Terriers: “We can’t wait. There’s been a buzz around training all week. It’s going to be a great day. We hope the fans come out and support us and we can hopefully keep this run going.
“It’s a local derby so it will be feisty and competitive - exactly the kind of games we want.”
Town have begun the season strongly, winning four and losing one of their opening five league games.
What seems to be going under the radar though is the fact they’ve only conceded three goals - with two of those in the one defeat to Cheadle Stingers, the only side currently keeping Town off the top of the FA WNL Division One North table.
On the defensive solidity this season, Beresford said: “We’re a lot stronger this season. The recruitment into the squad has been great and we’ve built a strong foundation.
“As a unit we’ve also been together for a while with myself, Beth Stanfield and Beth Ibbotson enjoying playing together.”
‘Stronger’ is the key word for Town this season. Their form took a dip towards the end of last season, but as well as key additions, a shift in mindset has Town looking like the real deal this year.
In the last few weeks, Town have beaten Norton and Stockton Ancients and Chorley - two sides they failed to beat at all last season. A small but not insignificant sign of improvement.
Beresford added: “We’re more determined this year. The group are more together this season and it’s showing on the pitch.
“Last season we struggled to score goals but that’s not an issue this year. Adding quality to the group has helped us kick on.”
One big change this season is the move to bring Town Women into the men’s club and form a closer link. Something Beresford has enjoyed so far.
“It’s been good. The fact we get to play at the Accu is great but it’s also just small details that are improving things day-by-day.”
Town recently took a heavy defeat to Burnley in the FA Women’s National League Cup. A team who turned professional in the summer after moving from a hybrid model.
Whilst their opponents that day are a club Town would want to emulate in the way of consistent and sustainable growth, Beresford admits the gap isn’t what the result suggested.
She added: “I wouldn’t say the gap is that big. We just got off to a slow start and it went wrong from there.
“We know where we want to be and we know we can get there if we keep going.”
Get down and back Beresford and the rest of the Town Women team as they take on Leeds United at the Accu Stadium on Sunday at 2pm.