Belles grab late winner to end Town youngsters hopes of success

HUDDERSFIELD Town Ladies’ Under 15 side were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Doncaster Belles.

Town had an early chance through Molly Ellis, but they didn’t take the lead until the 33rd minute when Jessica Barrow converted a free kick to make 1-0 to Town at halftime.

In the second half Town had all of the play and Macy Ellis almost doubled the lead.

However, Doncaster equalised on 65 minutes to make for a nervy last 10 minutes – Doncaster grabbing a late winner following a contested corner.

On Saturday the Under 15 team play in the Plate Final at Shelley FC against Sheffield United (11.30).

The Under 13 side got back to winning ways with a convincing 5-0 win over Sheffield United.

Town started brightly and went ahead when Tamara Wilcock played in Laura Hulme to score.

Isobella Kington had a decent effort saved, but a minute later she met Wilcock’s cross to double Town’s lead.

Town continued in similar style in the second half and Alex McKie created a chance for Erin Kaye to finish.

Town’s defence was wellmarshalled by captain and player of the match Gaby Pearson and they sealed victory when Wilcock then scored two goals in three minutes.

The Under 13 side have two league games this week and tonight they travel to Barnsley Ladies (6pm), while on Saturday they travel to Dronfield Town (11am).

The Under 11 team are in action on Saturday in the Plate Final at Shelley FC against Steel City Wanderers (11.30). ■■Fran Kirby vowed to repay Mark Sampson’s faith as her recovery from a long-term knee injury received the perfect boost with a Euro 2017 call-up.

The Chelsea Ladies striker, who made such an impact with England in her early games that Sampson nicknamed her ‘Mini Messi’, has been out of action since the start of last summer.

Only in the past fortnight has the 23-year-old returned to action, scoring hat-tricks in a pair of matches for Chelsea’s development team.

England manager Sampson had no doubt he wanted Kirby in his squad for the tournament in Holland, which begins for the Lionesses with an eye-catching clash against Scotland in Utrecht on July 19. The long gap between squad announcement and travel to the tournament means Kirby has plenty of time to regain match fitness.

“It’s been a really frustrating year so far and to be able to be in the Euros squad is a huge pride for me and huge relief<” said Kirby.