The Reds were on the road again this week, heading south to Sheffield and the challenge of Charnock Ridgeway.
Immediately after kick off, it was clear that the girls were going to have a tough first half. Playing into the wind, and at times struggling to make headway up the gentle slope of the pitch, the hosts had Barnsley pinned in their own half for much of the opening 10 minutes. However, once the girls had settled and started to find some rhythm in their passing, they managed the odd foray into the opposition’s half, with some strong running by Georgie and Faye on each wing. This lead to a number of chances and several attacking corners.
The key talking point of the first half was a fine goal-line save by Matilda, which was met with some half-hearted appeals from the home team that it had crossed the line. However, the referee did not agree and play was allowed to continue. It was a close call, with officials on the Barnsley bench remarking that even if it had crossed the line, “we were due a bit of luck this season!”
As the first half progressed, Barnsley fought their way back into the team and finished the half on top, despite several fouls by the home team which threatened to break up play.
Spirits were high during the half time team talk delivered by Manager Dave, with emphasis on exploiting the conditions that had worked against us in the first half.
Barnsley started the second half in the same way as they had finished the first, with the upper hand. However, 10 minutes in there was a mix up in the Barnsley defence and the ball fell kindly for an attacking Ridgeway player who slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, who was still on the ground having attempted to smoother ball just seconds earlier. 1-0 Charnock.
As the second half progressed, it became clear that the first half exertions were starting to take their toll, and with no substitutes available this week, energy levels visibly dipped in the team.
Despite a late surge and some excellent efforts on goal from Macie, including a last second shot, Barnsley were unable to find an equaliser but carried on fighting right to the end.

View From the Bench

Despite the loss, this was one of the best performances of the season, with every girl stepping up and playing a full 60 mins in challenging conditions against a very physical Charnock outfit. The goalless first half was Barnsley’s first half-clean sheet of the season, and was down in part to some tough midfield tackling, excellent tracking by the defenders, and some great one v one saves from the keeper.
Whilst disappointed with the end result, all of the Barnsley bench were impressed with the attitude, spirit and determination of all the girls, and we look forward to welcoming Charnock to Dorothy Hyman in a few weeks time for a re-match.