Hull City Ladies 3 – 1 Barnsley Women 

After 164 Hull City Ladies finally played in front of a crowd at Haworth Park, as the Tigresses came from behind to clinch a 3:1 victory deep into injury time.

With the FA Women’s National League starting one month day. Preparations are well underway as pre-season games are for working on defence/attacking possession, gaining match fitness, and working on match tactics; not about winning or losing according to first-team manager Adi Costello.

It was fantastic to see fans once again cheering on the Tigresses. With temperature checks upon entry, track and trace, hand sanitising stations, and social distancing being maintained, Haworth Park is a friendly and safe place to see elite football live. We look forward to welcoming everyone throughout the season!

Both teams exchanged field position and fierce tackles in the opening 10 minutes. Barnsley had the games first real chance but Megan Cooke was alert to a through ball to prevent Barnsley claiming an early lead.

A good ball through from Barnsley, but Cooke was out quickly to smother the ball for a corner kick. Following the resulting corner, Barnsley whipped the ball in, as the tricky cross deflected off Cooke to put Barnsley one goal ahead on the 11th-minute mark.

It was better to play from the Tigresses moments later, as good work from Emily Smith on the left found space to run towards. Excellent dribbling and trickery from Smith allowed her to get away from her woman but her cross found the Barnsley keeper hands.

Nearly a great ball from Smith through both defenders but the pass was narrowly over hit as Barnsley’s keeper was quick to react to clear any danger.

Hull City Ladies were unlucky not to equalise six minutes from the half-time whistle. Aaliyah Allen had a golden chance when she beat the off-side trap from an excellent through ball, but one on one with keeper couldn’t make her chance count as the keeper pulled off a fine save.

Two minutes from half-time, the Tigresses were nearly in again. Katie Thompson found herself in acres of space to run. Allen put a great ball in round the corner as Thompson raced onto it, running through on goal she was denied by a fantastic save.

With the rain pouring down in the closing minutes of the first half, both teams still battled for field possession as the scoreline remained 0-1 to Barnsley at the half-time whistle.

Hull City Ladies started the second half, where they left off as the dominant team. Substitute Rebecca Beech weaved in and out, to create good space, beating two defenders in the process which enabled her to unleash a fierce shot towards goal. However, Barnsley’s keeper produced a good save to prevent Beech from scoring as she parried the shot away. Ellice Jackman nearly pounced on the free ball at the back post but her shot was agonisingly short.

A good ball from Barnsley nearly put them through on goal, but Cooke raced out of her area to block the shot. However, it was only a partial clearance but the Barnsley forward couldn’t make the error count as Jackman and Florence Pegrum watched her shot treacle away for a goal kick.

Another good chance for Hull City Ladies seven minutes from full-time but Jackman’s header flashed over the bar.

Just two minutes later, Hull City Ladies got just their just reward as they made the pressure count. Thompson floated cross/shot looped over the keeper to put the Tigresses back in the game.

A crazy two minutes after HCL’s goal, Barnsley hit the post from a good shot, as the Tigresses picked up the rebound and raced up-field. Good counting attacking move from Hull City Ladies led to Thompson rounding the keeper but she couldn’t force it home.

With Hull City Ladies pushing for a winner, Thompson found herself with the ball and time on the right. A good ball into the danger zone as Liberty Bott was in the right place at the right time as she latched on to the ball to strike home to give Hull City Ladies a winner on the 91st-minute mark.

Two minutes later the Tigresses were in once again. Beech beat the offside trap and the Barnsley player to slot in her shot to seal Hull City Ladies third consecutive pre-season win.

Next Sunday, come and watch live football once again as Hull City Ladies take on Bradford Ladies at Haworth Park, 2 pm KO. Our reserves also play at Haworth Park at the same time, on the other pitch, against Bradford Ladies Reserves. Come and support both Tigresses teams against our Yorkshire rivals. All season pass holders will be guaranteed entry to all upcoming pre-season fixtures and the season ahead. Buy yours here!

Scorers 

Thompson (85) Bott (91) Beech (93)

Line-up

1, Megan Cooke

2, Eden Pederson

5, Ellice Jackman

11, Jo Symington 

17, Florence Pegrum 

6, Ellie Tanser

18, Suey Smith

7, Liberty Bott

14, Katie Thompson

8, Aaliyah Allen

12, Emily Smith

Subs: Beech, Westmorland, Padget, Render, Burton, Skinner

*Written by Alex Robinson

** Photograph by Sam Shepherd