Brighouse moved 3 points clear at the top of the West Ridings Womens League with a stunning 9-2 victory at fourth placed Salts.
Brighouse started the game on the backfoot due to the late arrival of three players which meant they had to start with just ten players,but the back four of Chloe Abbott,Olivia Turner,Sheridan Drake and Leanne Groves,held firm for the opening twenty minutes,but as soon as they got their full compliment of players Brighouse went behind to a great shot from the edge of the box which flew into the top corner.This seemed to wake Brighouse up and they finally began to grow in confidence,and got their passing game going and a great move found Kennedy Power clear on the edge of the six yard box,but her shot was brilliantly blocked on the line.But they didnt have to wait much longer for the equaliser,and what a goal it was.keeper amy Mondays short goal kick found Chloe Abbott who passed short to Sarah Hemingway,who played a one two with Leanne Smith,before playing a lovely ball back to Smith,and then Smith thread a superd 40 yard ball through the Salts defence for Vanessa Holroyd to race onto and fire past the keeper from the edge of the area.Brighouse had keeper Monday to thank for going in at half time on level terms when a rocket shot from the edge of the area look dest5ined for the top corner until she threw herself across the goal and palmed the ball to safety.
The match continued flowing from end to end and was a great advert for ladies football,but it really came to life on the hour mark,when Vanessa Holroyd seemed to put Brighouse in control with two goals in two minutes to complete her hat-trick,her third an explosive shot from the edge of the area which flew into the top corner.But in the 67th minute Salts were back in it at three two after a goalmouth scramble the ball was bundled over the line.
Brighouse then swept Salts aside with three goals in a five minute spell to make it six three,the first from Holroyd after some great work from Alex Sweeney,then Holroyd scored her fifth after Smith had raced through a couple of challenges,then Sarah Hemingway got on the scresheet arriving at the back post to fire home after another great move down the right involving Groves,Jess Brown,Leanne Smith and Vanessa Holroyd.
Now in total control of the game Brighouse were still working hard,but playing some great football,and they managed another three goals,Holroyd sprinting clear of the back four,to complete her double hat-trick,then Leanne Smith got a goal her superb display deserved with a cheeky chip over the keeper which drew applause from both sets of supporters.and fittingly Holroyd scored her seventh of the game after some fine interplay between Amy Jones and Emily O'Connor set her up for a tap in
Brighouse are now three points clear of Keighley at the top of the table,but Keighley have two games in hand,but Brighouse have to travel to Keighley in what could be a championship decider!! Next week they make the short trip to Hebden Royd,and they should soon find out who their cup semi final opponents are from Kirklees,Harrogate Railway and Lepton,all who are in the top five of the premier league.
