Wombwell Recreation Ground, home of Wombwell Town based in South Yorkshire and play their trade in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Division Two. Also the home of Barnsley Women FC who play in the Women’s National League Division One North. Formerly known as ‘Barnsley Ladies’ but after a dispute with Barnsley FC, they separated and changed their name to ‘Barnsley Women’ and a separate Barnsley Ladies were formed which is connected to Barnsley FC. Tonight they face Leeds United Women in the league. Barnsley languishing down towards the bottom whereas Leeds battling towards the top… Who’s your money on!?
My plan originally for tonight was to make the trip back to Spondon, Derby to watch Graham Street Prims over the other side of that car park but the Merry Miller has done it again and managed to convince me to come to Wombwell for this match! Off I go! Straight on to the M1 and… “It’s been a long day, I’m going to give it a miss…” Looks like I’m riding solo tonight now… £3 to watch this Women’s tie! Tasty! Eventually I manage to get the car parked and now it’s time for the game!
Kick Off! “Barnsley! Barnsley!” A bit of noise for Barnsley early on! 4 minutes in and Barnsley come forward, it’s played to Nat Shaw on the edge of the box, she squares it to Ruby Jex-Oldfield who goes for goal… OH WHAT A GOAL!!! It’s a brilliant strike! And Barnsley have the lead! What a start for them!! 1-0!!
“Barnsley! Barnsley!” Great to see John here who I haven’t seen since my trip to Dodworth back in the summer of last year! 17 minutes now and Leeds break forward now, it’s played to Hannah Freibach who’s free in the box… She squares it to Sandra Soares-Martins… The keeper gets her leg to it but it comes to Soares-Martins to head home… OH NO! She’s headed it over… Has to be one of the misses of the season… Maybe one of the worst I’ve ever seen at a game! Absolute sitter!
29th minute now and Leeds have it at the back, they give it away to Emily Pierrepont who drives forward now, she plays it to Nat Shaw, she plays it through to Pierrepont in the box running in from the left, she shoots… IT’S 2!!!!! Barnsley in dreamland here!! They double their lead!!! 2-0!!
1 minute later and Leeds are straight out of the blocks from that second goal, a ball is played to Hannah Freibach and she’s in on goal here… She’s put it wide… A big chance goes begging for Leeds again…
Leeds looking the better side despite being 2 goals down but are wasting big chances. 44th minute and Leeds have a corner, in it comes… It’s towards the near post… The keeper has to get there and she punches it clear for another corner, in it comes… Bridie Hannon with the header… Over from close range… Another chance there for Leeds! 1 minute later and Leeds have another corner, in it comes… The header from Josephine Hewson… Just wide! At half time it’s 2-0 to Barnsley… How have Leeds not scored?
Second half, 47th minute and Leeds have a corner, in it comes… Josephine Hewson with the header… It’s in!! They’ve got one this time!! What a game we’ve got now!! 2-1!! Leeds starting to dominate the game now! 55 minutes on the clock, the ball is played to Hannah Freibach and she’s through… She’s scored!!!! Leeds are level!! It’s 2-2!
Great to meet one of the Barnsley players dads in the crowd tonight who’s travelled from Stockport for this match! Big commitment there! 2 minutes after the goal and here come Leeds again, they have it down the left and it’s played in low, it comes to Hannah Freibach who shoots… It’s blocked but she gets it back, she plays it to Laura Bartup who shoots… Great save by the keeper and she claims the loose ball. Leeds looking the more likely now.
73rd minute and Barnsley play a ball forward, Ruby Jex-Oldfield gets it under control and goes for the volley… Oooooh! Just wide! It’s looking like anyone’s game at the moment with both teams having a fair share of possession in this spell of the game.
87th minute and Leeds come down the right wing… They win a free kick just outside the box on the right in a good crossing position, Rebekah Bass whips it in… OH! It’s gone all the way in!! The keeper doesn’t get there and Leeds are in front!! They’ve completed the turnaround!! 2-3!!
Can Barnsley get the equaliser? They pile on the pressure but Leeds are looking pretty comfortable as Barnsley are not bombing forward in numbers unfortunately for them… Leeds are trying the old corner flag tactic… And it has worked as the Referee blows for full time! A great win for Leeds! A gutting defeat for Barnsley after being 2 up…
FT: Barnsley Women 2-3 Leeds United Women
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – Like Derby, a lot of children in tonight who were really enjoying themselves and made some noise for their team!
- The Ground: 5/10 – It’s an ok ground! I love the view from the bridge but I don’t like how far away the pitch is from the stand and the bar… The stand is really good on the other hand!
- Expense: 10/10 – £3 for 5 goals and a bit of drama! Thanks!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Great to see John once again and great to meet the parent from Stockport! Most importantly, a great game here tonight!!
27/40