Barnsley FC Ladies stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games after beating Chester-le-Street Ladies 2-0 at Oakwell.
Goals from Drew Greene and Danielle Whitham means the Reds now haven’t lost a game since 30th September when they went down 1-0 to league-leaders Burnley.
Barnsley set their stall out from the start and were straight out of the blocks looking to attack the CLS goal. Within 10 minutes, Barnsley had hit the crossbar from a Sophie Crosby corner and Amy Woodruff saw a good effort saved by the CLS ‘keeper after nice play between Sophie Bell and Kath Smith.
The hosts continued to press and were rewarded for their efforts just after the half-hour mark. Greene found herself in acres of space on the edge of the box, and she used the time to pick her spot, and fire with great precision into the bottom corner of the goal.
Chester-le-Street had very few chances but were nearly gifted a goal after a miscommunication at the back. Goalkeeper Skye Kirkham looked to come and claim the ball on the six-yard line, but Lucy Turner instead tried to hook the ball clear. The CLS attacker sensed an opportunity and challenged for the ball when it came down, but under pressure, Kirkham claimed the second ball.
Barnsley started the second half with similar energy and vigour they’d started the first with. They were having great joy down the right with Greene and Sophie Bell both tricking their way through and creating chances that were either well saved or not taken by the hosts.
On the midway point in the second half, the Reds were gifted a chance for goal number two. Moments after coming on, Mollie Crump found herself inside the box and was bundled to the ground as she was about to pull the trigger. New signing Whitham coolly stepped up and rifled into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Reds manager Chris Hamilton said he felt his side ‘dominated the game’ after a bit of an untidy first half.
“First half we showed we had a few cobwebs after the Christmas break, but second half we came out and dominated the game,” said Hamilton.
“We changed it up a bit and put Drew up next to Amy at the start of the game, and they were great. We speak all the time about finishing into the corner, and she’s done it.”
