By Daniel Wood
Huddersfield Town Women scored six goals past Chorley FC in their return to action at the Stafflex Arena, as they came away 6-0 winners on Sunday 9 August.
This gave new manager Jordan Wimpenny the perfect start at Huddersfield.
Laura Elford got on to the scoresheet twice, as Brittany Sanderson, Kate Mallin and Lucy Sowerby added to the total with one goal apiece. An own goal on top of that helped the hosts to a clear victory.
In the opening half-hour, both teams were evenly matched, and Huddersfield had to rely on a save from debutant goalkeeper Bethan Davies to deny the away side from taking the lead.
Davies, the former WSL2 winner, would go on to keep a clean sheet on her debut for the Terriers.
Elford opened the scoring with a great strike with her favoured right foot that went straight into the top corner.
Despite a wonderful effort from the Chorley goalkeeper in the first half, the Terriers were too much for the away side, leading 2-0 at half time thanks to Brittany Sanderson scoring from a rebound.
After Elford bagged her second goal of the game she was replaced by another new team member, Serena Fletcher.
The midfielder signed from Blackburn last week and made a sudden impact by delivering the cross that lead to an own goal from a devastated Chorley defender.
Jordan Wimpenny was very pleased with his side’s performance after their very one-sided victory against Chorley.
In an interview post-match, he said “There are so many positives that we’ll take from this. Every player did very well, and all substitutes made an impact.
“That’s vital for us because of how we play. We need dynamic movement for the whole ninety minutes and that’s what we had today.
“The keepers played one half each and both kept clean sheets which was great and important for their confidence. Bethan [Davies] made a great save at nil-nil so I’m very happy with her debut.”
With the 2019-20 Women’s League season getting cancelled it is important for the Terriers to find their feet again throughout their pre-season games in anticipation of the upcoming 2020-21 season.
Their remaining pre-season games are as follows:
- Stockport County (A) 16 Aug
- Bradford City (H) 23 Aug
- FC United of Manchester (A) 30 Aug
- Newcastle United (H) 6 Sep