Wetherby LFC 0 HTAFC Ladies 10

Rosie knocks Wetherby for Six!

One week it’s Ben Stokes and the next it’s Town's new striker Rosie Gill following suit with six of the best against local rivals Wetherby Athletic in the First Preliminary Round of the Women’s FA Cup.

Sunday dawned with the first hint of Autumn in the air, and the start of Harrogate Town Ladies 2019-20 campaign.
 
All roads led to the superb setting of Wetherby Ings, home of Wetherby Athletic Ladies, with the game taking place in front of a substantial crowd, many of who had made the journey from Harrogate. 
 
Town Ladies were keen to eradicate memories of last season’s FA Cup campaign which ended at the first stage of the competition with one of their poorest ever displays - today’s performance was to be right at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Whilst top plaudits would go to Gill who scored six goals and was a permanent threat throughout the game, this would go down as one of Town’s most authoritative team performances from front to back.

Out of the blocks like Usain Bolt, Town's pressing game paid immediate dividends in the first minute with Beth Davies ghosting in from midfield and stroking the ball into the net. 

1-0, and goals quickly followed from Gill and Sophie Tinson, but it was the exquisite nature of Town's passing game that will have delighted the Town Ladies coaching team.

The defensive back line of Wilson, Whitton, McDonald and Davies gave little away and, when called upon, Jackson, ever alert, pulled off two outstanding saves.
 
However, it was in midfield where Town really impressed with slick, incisive one touch passing, creating a number of openings.

Clayton and Davies look like they will develop a great partnership this season, and a rejuventaed Adams and lively Crispin were a constant threat down both flanks. 
 
Up front, Town showed evidence of a new ruthless streak that will stand them in good stead for the League campaign ahead.
 
Tinson, top goal scorer for the last two seasons many times, leading the line on her own, now has a partner up front who has the same eye for goal; opposing defences will need to watch out for both players this season.

And to back this up Town have a strong bench to call upon with Kendell, James and Macgregor all making a contribution in the latter stages of the game.

To Wetherby’s credit they battled right through to the final whistle, and their goalkeeper pulled off a number of outstanding saves in the second half.
 
As the game came to a conclusion, the Town Ladies gave a round of applause to the travelling fans, young and old, still singing we might be "off to Wemberley" and waving the massive Town Supporters Club flag.
 
They had provided outstanding support for the whole 90 minutes and were perfectly entitled to dream of the impossible!
 
Only eight games to go!   

Jackson-Powell, R Davies, Mcdonald (James 58), Adams, Whitton, Wilson, Gill, B Davies, Tinson, Clayton (Kendell 58), Crispin (McGregor 67)
 
Goals: B Davies 1, Gill 7, 25, 40, 56, 68, 75, Tinson 15 (p), Adams 32, 86