Tamira Livingston show helps Huddersfield Town Women to ten-goal County Cup win
The Manchester United loanee hit a hat trick and put on three assists as Town eased into the semi-finals with a 10-0 win.
46 days into the year and Huddersfield Town Women played only their second game of 2026.
After playing most of 2025 with a depleted squad, their depth finally came to the fore with a convincing 10-0 win over Rotherham United Women in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Cup.
It was Town’s first game of the competition - entering at the quarter final stage - and a good opportunity for Glen Preston to give new signings and returning players a run out against lower league opposition.
And what a run out it was, especially for loanee Tamira Livingston who bagged a hat trick and three assists on her first start for the club. The returning Laura Elford also grabbed two much needed goals in a result that was never in doubt from the off.
Their freshness and quality shone from the off. Rhema Lord-Mears put them ahead after 10 minutes before Livingston stole the show on her first start.
Livingston was alert to the Millers’ keeper parrying Jess Lightfoot’s effort to tap in the rebound before her first time effort made it 3-0 in quick succession.
Louise Biggins then bagged her 10th of the season and Town’s fourth thanks to Livingston’s assist. Before Livingston completed her hattrick on 31 minutes with a superb strike from the edge of the box.
The second half started with Preston making four changes. Elford returned to action and was joined by Hannah Burgess, Kate Mallin and Fliss Jones with Biggins, Ella Duffield, Brierley Keane and Lord-Mears making way.
And the subs weren’t going to miss out making their mark. Mallin made it six when she hit a free kick into the top corner before Elford bagged Town’s seventh goal of the afternoon after Burgess’ assist.
Elford then made it eight after latching onto another Burgess cross. Her goals will be crucial to Town’s late season form.
Fliss Jones then got in on the act firing in Livingston’s assist from just inside the box. And all four subs found the net when Burgess made it 10-0 with seven minutes to go thanks to another assist from Livingston.
For a team battling for promotion in the league, you’d think playing only 3 games in 70 games wouldn’t be ideal - but for Town it’s probably been a blessing in disguise.
The first half of the season saw Town rise to the top of the league despite a depleted squad.
Key players Glen Preston would’ve seen as pivotal to their title hopes just haven’t been available regularly enough thanks to a spate of long term injuries.
Summer signing and goalscoring hopeful Laura Elford has only managed five appearances so far (scoring in three) and midfielder Lauren Griffiths only managed two games before being struck down with injury.
Elsewhere Town have only seen full back Serena Fletcher twice and centre half Beth Ibbotson also missing with a long lay-off after an impressive start to the season.
Four big players any team would miss.
It’d be naive to downplay the quality of Preston’s entire squad, however. For every injury, there’s a chance for someone else - and how his young squad have taken it.
Hannah Burgess’ spell leading the line early on in the campaign was fruitful with the attacker leading the goalscoring charts with 9, alongside Louise Biggins - who herself has been a revelation after a slow start.
And with Fletcher unavailable, Alise Gindra has proven her versatility with superb performances at right back.
However, the recent postponements has allowed players to return without missing too many games - including one against promotion rivals Cheadle.
Elford returned to the bench in the County Cup tie at Rotherham and Ibbotson’s return was welcomed in January’s win over Doncaster Rovers Belles.
Town have also dipped into the market with a few impressive signings. Neve Birtwistle brings much needed support in midfield after moving across from Cheadle.
A familiar face returned in the shape of goalkeeper Kacey Bolton-Woollam along with loan signings Tamira Livingston and Jess Lightfoot from Manchester United and Everton respectively.
All of a sudden Town’s squad looks strong. Very strong. And with more to return, Glen Preston will have a headache - one he won’t mind!
Next up for Town is a return to league action when Stockport County visit the Stafflex Arena on Thursday night.