Barnsley FC Women returned to winning ways in triumphant fashion, beating Redcar Town 3-2 away from home in an excellent performance.
The Reds started incredibly brightly, with Kim Brown rifling a speculative shot wide of the post in the opening minutes. This positive approach paid dividends shortly after, when Madison Foye picked up the ball from midfield and drove it forward, delivering an expert pass to Jodie Gregory, who fired home from close range for the Reds’ first of the afternoon.
Moments later, Foye had a chance to add a goal to her assist, when she managed to break free of the Redcar defence and drill a shot towards the Redcar net, forcing the opposition goalkeeper into a fingertip save.
Soon after this, it was Barnsley’s turn to display some quality goalkeeping, as in the 12th minute, Ashleigh Ridsdel-Harrison responded to an effort from the Redcar forward, making a great save and catching the ball to deal with the threat expertly. However, the hosts found a leveller with quarter of an hour on the clock, sweeping in from a similar situation.
Following this, the Reds rallied and came close to retaking the lead when Louisa Barraclough rattled the crossbar with a fierce attempt from distance. Gregory followed up this shot with a speculative header, allowing it to be collected by the Redcar ‘keeper. With such positive attacking play, a second appeared to be a foregone conclusion, and so it materialised in the 30th minute, when amidst a Redcar defensive melee, Foye responded with a looping shot over the defensive line to beat the ‘keeper and restore our lead.
Barraclough had a chance to get a third, producing a curling shot just outside the box which forced a save from the Redcar stopper. But the Reds were made to rue those missed opportunities as the hosts levelled once more against the run of play shortly before the interval.
HALF-TIME: Redcar Town 2-2 Barnsley FC Women
Redcar started the second half brightly and came close to edging ahead for the first time in the contest, only to see a fine effort dealt with expertly by Ridsdel-Harrison.
After this early threat, Barnsley settled into the half and produced an attacking display any side would’ve been proud of. Nic Shaw rattled inside of the post, with Gregory heading the rebound over the bar.
Kim Brown forced the Redcar goalkeeper into action, while Shaw also missed another glorious chance following a mazy run, while Victoria Chincharo’s attempt sailed narrowly wide of the target.
The Reds eventually found the breakthrough that their superiority and domination deserved as Foye latched onto Gregory’s slide-rule pass before slotting confidently into the back of the net.
It was a cagey finale to what had been a thrilling encounter, with Barnsley producing a sturdy and determined defensive performance to secure their first win in October, and their first victory on the road this term.
FULL TIME: Redcar Town 2-3 Barnsley FC Women
REDS: Ridsdel-Harrison, Wilson-Roberts (Turton-Burrell, 46), Wilson, Rigby, Barraclough, Kelly (Shaw, 46), Evans, Brown, Foye, Chincharo (Teiyah, 69), Gregory.
Not used: Horsley, Marsh.
