Dragons and Dennis have the edge on Halifax

HALIFAX LADIES seconds were defeated by hosts Huddersfield Dragons and the bad weather in their away day in North League Division Three South.

Huddersfield took the initiative with first-half goals but Halifax battled back on the resumption.

The visitors were denied by the Huddersfield keeper but they were back in the game after a penalty flick was awarded and Rebecca Brown held her nerve to plant the ball to the keeper’s right.

While Storm Dennis made life difficult, Halifax continued to pressure the Huddersfield defence but found the keeper on her game and the home side held out for a 2-1 win.

A win against the University of Leeds could have seen Halifax thirds move top of Yorkshire Division Two but a lack of players and a strong Leeds side resulted in them slipping to third with a 3-1 loss. The away side started well but they were unable to convert chances.

However, Leeds went ahead from a penalty corner and with Halifax pushing forward, a quick counter-attack saw the home side go two goals ahead.

Halifax came out fighting in the second half and Laura Neimantas was denied by the post but when the ball was fired into the ‘D’, Helen Williams deflected the ball home.

Halifax pressed for a second but Leeds grabbed a third to secure the points. Halifax travel to Bridlington this weekend for another tough battle.

An under-strength Halifax ladies fifths team suffered defeats in both league and cup.

On Saturday, they lost 5-1 at University of Leeds in Yorkshire Division Five West.

The defensive line of player of the match Sasha Penny-Ward, Alice Buckle and Julie Sutherland

stood up well but Leeds netted twice before the break.

Sam Sutcliffe responded with a goal but the hosts pulled away to grab the points.

Visitors Leeds and Storm Dennis proved too strong for Halifax in their Division Five Cup match, which ended in an 8-0 loss. The scoreline would have been worse had it not been for a player of the match performance from goalkeeper Georgia King.