TINGLEY LADIES 4 V 4 BRIGHOUSE LADIES
Brighouse twice fought back from 2 goals down to earn a point in a thrilling game at Tingley.Both teams played their part in a tremendous advert for ladies football. Tingley started strongly,and Brighouse keeper Amy Monday had to be on her toes to make a double save,and the back four of Leanne Webster,Charlotte Reid,Sheridan Drake and Chloe Abbott,were working hard to keep Tingley at bay,but finaly Brighouse got a foothold in the game,some great pressing from Sarah Hemingway forced a defensive mistake,and Leanne Smith pounced on the ball and crossed for Hemingway whose shot was brilliantly blocked by a brave defender,then Smith broke through only to fire inches wide from the edge of the area.Then against the run of play,Tingley took the lead with a great strike from the edge of the box.And two mintes later they were 2 up with another spectacular strike from long range.Brighouse were now up against it,but continued to take the game to Tingley,with the midfield taking control of the game,Smith Lauren Doyle Emily Holroyd and Alex Sweeney all working hard to get Brighouse back in the game,and finally the chance came when the ball was cleared out to Leanne Webster on the right and her perfect cross enabled Lauren Doyle to volley home from 8 yards.And two minutes later they were level,Reids corner caused panic in the Tingley defence and Hemingway blocked the clearance,and the ball kindly fell to Doyle who calmly tapped in from close range.
Just four minutes later Tingley regained the lead when the ever dangerous right winger crossed from the right and somehow the ball just flew passed bemused Amy Monday into the top corner! to give Tingley the half time lead.
Brighouse came out strongly in the 2nd half and took the game to their opponents,but after fiftty minutes to the amazement of everyone at the game the referee gave a penalty for handball against Alex Sweeney,which was struck home confidently to put Tingley 4-2 up.
Brighouse were up against it now,but the penalty decision seemed to inspire them,and they drove forward in search of the goal that would bring them back into the game,sub Chelsea Jessop was thwarted by great defending after rounding the keeper,Hemingway was in a great position but just delayed her shot and the danger was cleared,but in the 66th minute, Brighouse were back in the game,Webster and Drake played a one-two,then Webster found Doyle who then played a defence splitting pass for Smith to run onto and neatly finish into the bottom corner.Both teams were pushing forward for the next all important goal,and Tingley came close as Brighouse despite making four or five great blocks couldnt clear the ball and the ball finally fell to the edge of the area awhere a powerful shot was well saved by Monday
With 15mins left Brighouse equalised,a defensive mix up was pounced on by Smith who raced through unchallenged to calmly fire home.Brighouse were now on top and Smith was set up by Doyle but was thwarted by the keeper,and five minutes from time Smith again went agonisingly close to winning the three points.
All in all a point was a fair result,and Brighouse can take heart from showing such a great fighting spirit to twice come back from two goals down against a very good team. On Sunday Brighouse travel to local rivals Bradford Park Avenue,where the will be hoping to avenge their FA Cup defeat earlier in the season
