Away Day Wonder

Hepworth travelled down the M1 to Worksop Town Juniors Ladies FC for their second round county cup match unsure what to expect from their opponents who ply their trade at the same level as Hepworth but in the Sheffield County Womens league. Hepworth with a trimmed squad due to county cup rules were hopeful of victory as it was still a strong team they could field. The early pressure all came from Hepworth as Captain Jo Forrest shot just wide on 3 minutes closely followed by Abigail Iggleden having been set up by a great through ball from Emma Holroyd. Their early pressure paid off in the 6th minute as Steph Teale broke down the right and passed to Iggleden, her cross was inch perfect and allowed Sophie King to head home the opening goal. King nearly doubled her tally and Hepworth's on 10 minutes when her thunderous shot hit the bar before Claudia Cleary fired the rebound over. Two minutes later Cleary set up King but it was the latter who fired over the bar this time as Worksop's goal was looking more like The Alamo asw shots rained down on it. On 16 minutes Rebecca Purchon crossed from the right after a good run and her cross was met by Iggleden whose header was just wide of the mark, then 3 minutes later Iggleden it was Iggleden who was the provider as she crossed to king but her effort hit the bar and Worksop scrambled the ball away. A rare home side attack was halted in the 22nd minute as Steph Teale collected the ball deep in her own half and ran 45 yards before setting up Iggleden but her shot was straight at the keeper and Worksop survived again. The intense pressure finally paid off again on 25 minutes as Rebecca Purchon crossed from the right and Jo Forrest volleyed home from close range to make it 2-0. Two minutes later and a long clearance from Harper in goal found Iggleden who's pace beat the Worksop defence to the ball and her header set up King to score her second of the match. Hepworth had virtually dominated the match thus far and only had a few corners o deal with which Harper in goal and defenders Hirst and Kirk dealt with easily turning defence into attack at every oportunity. The visitors made it 4-0 on 35 minutes as Sophie King crossed for Jo Forrst to claim her second goal. Hepworth stretched it to five on 39 minutes as Iggleden fired home from the edge of the box well a well struck shot which the keeper could only push into the net. Right onn the stroke of half time Steph Teale sent over a cross that was heading goalwards but Iggleden made it certain with an easy header to make it 6-0.
Hepworth made a couple of changes at half time with the game theoretically in the bag with Jayne Smith and Nicki halstead entering the game. Despite the change around Hepworth did not let up on their attacking play and took the game to Worksop still and it was one way traffic again inside the first minute of the second period with Jo Forrest having an effort go just wide. A minute later Forrest linked up with Jayne Smith who crossed for Iggleden but her shot was just wide of goal. Further efforts saw King volley over on 49 minutes before an Iggleden shot was saved and the follow up by King was off target. It was still one way traffic as Forrest fired just wide and Worksop survived further punishment. Worksop had improved slightly in the second half but didnt cause any great threats but they defended a little better urged on by their exuberant coach who had arrived at half time. His shouts of "Thats Better" "were like chips" certainly raised their hopes or was it an indication of the post match food ? For those on the side line of Hepworth watching the planes fly overhead in the clear skies was an added bonus and a guess the plane company game started. Hepworth finally breached the Worksop defence for the 7th time on 62 minutes as Jayne Smith drove forward with the ball sent the defenders the wrong way with an outrageous dummy before lofting the ball up over the keeper into the net. The final goal of the match came on 76 minutes when Rebecca Purchon sent a long ball through to Sophie King who lofted the ball over the keeper to make it 8-0 and complete her Hat Trick. This was a great performance by Hepworth Who's reward was a 3rd Round home tie against Sheffield FC to be played on the 16th of December at Far Lane. The player of the match award was awarded to Rebecca Purchon.