United Run Continues

Hepworth looked to continue their short unbeaten run against on paper a strong Brighouse side who were just a point behind Hepworth with two games in hand. It was the home side who started the brighter and went straight on the attack. From a Becky Kirk free kick in their own half Jayne Smith flicked the ball out wide to captain Kirsty McCluskey who fired her cross over at pace and Abigail Iggleden tapped home at the far post to put her team 1-0 up. McCluskey was ripping Brighouse apart down the right wing in the early part of the game and she saw her first strike on goal headed off the line on 18 minutes and just two minutes later she fired another effort just wide of goal. Hepworth were totally dominating the game with the Hard working strike force of Thompson and Nicholl causing problem after problem. The midfield quartet of McCluskey, Smith, Forrest and Iggleden passed the ball around with ease and ran their opponents into the ground. On 23 minutes Jayne Smith sent a through ball for McCluskey who saw her shot pushed wide by the Brighouse keeper.
On the half hour mark following several corners in succession a Brighouse player was adjudged to have handled the ball and a Penalty was awarded. Up stepped Jayne Smith to dispatch the spot kick home for a 2-0 lead. It was 38 minutes into the game before Brighouse caused any serious threat to the Hepworth goal but keeper Rebecca Harper was in fine form racing off her line to block when the striker was through on goal one on one.
Hepworth kept plugging away and McCluskey got her reward for an outstanding performance when her 20 yard effort from a narrow angle was smashed up and over the keeper into the far corner of the net to make it 3-0. Just two minutes later Hepworth were out of sight when Abigail Iggleden went on a solo run and got her second of the game and Hepworth's fourth to go in at half time 4-0 up.
Playing down the slope Hepworth expected to extend their lead but Brighouse caused an early shock on 51 minutes when through on goal again Rebecca Harper had to be alert in another one on one situation to keep the visitors at bay. Hepworth did find their groove however and kept searching for more goals however they could not extend their lead any further. McCluskey had another great effort go just wide while Nicholl and Thompson created chances but the final touch was just not there in the second half. They ran there socks off for no real personal reward other than being part of an outstanding team performance. The back four controlled virually everything Brighouse had to offer with Becky Kirk and Lucy page amongst the thick of the few Brighouse attacks. Kirky kept her cool despite the vulgar and obscene comments from the Brighouse touchline about her size and hair colour, More apt was the Ginger Ninja as she bossed her opponents and fiery Lucy Page was the " Mature One" and tried to calm the opponent on the sideline down with out any help from the match referee. Lauren Brown replaced the Lauren Pashley who had played solidly and Amy Whitely replaced Kirsty McCluskey who is still on her way back from injury and building up her match fitness . Brighouse got their goal on 84 minutes when they were awarded a soft free kick to make it 4-1. Hepworth could and should have sealed the game when Iggleden broke clear but her shot was saved one handed and the loose ball scrambled away. Hannah Nicholl chased down a pass from Thompson but just ran out of space and was forced out of play right on the final whistle. An outstanding performance from everyone today with the Keystone Europe Ltd player of the match going to captain Kirsty McCluskey.