Following a well deserved point from their game at home against league leaders Tingley Athletic in which they really should have had all three points, Hepworth travelled to tingley looking to improve on that performance. However with numerous injuries it was not going to be easy on a rough pitch with long grass and a strong wind. Playing with the wind Hepworth started brightly but struggled to turn their possession in to goals, Claire Berry set up Lucy Pickles who went close on 11 minutes but her effort was well saved. Abigail Iggleden worked hard up front but was all too often out muscled or isolated as the Tingley defence swamped all over her. Becky Kirk went close from a corner but she could not guide her header under the bar. To be honest Hepworth just seemed out of sorts on the night where Tingley were determined to gain revenge on the side that ruined their 100% record only a few days before. The home side were a constant threat with their strong pacey striker who was marked out of the game a few days ago causing all sorts of problems. The home sides tactics to lump the ball forward were not pretty to watch but effective and they took the lead onthe half hour mark as their stiker beat the otherwise tight offside trap. It just happened as Hepworth were starting to get their act together and started linking up from back to front however the writing was on the wall as goalkeeper rebecca Harper had already kept her team in the game with several good saves. Hepworth already missing Amirah Jalloh due to a slight hamstring strain were forced to make further changes as becky kirk was forced off with a slight groin strain and with a final on the horizon Hepworth did not want to take any risks.
Tingley quickley doubled their lead in the 57th minute as the Hepworth defence allowed the ball to bounce following a long wind assisted kick and their goal was breached for a second time. Hepworth did battle hard in the second half but could just not find the net and had several good efforts but many were half chances as they scrapped for everything forcing numerous corners. the fight back was lead by Lucy pickles who worked tirelessly down the right to get her side a goal. But against the run of play they were caught out again and fell 3-0 down. hepworth tried hard from the back with Hirst and Halstead feeding Claire Berry but far too often the pass into the final third of the pitch was not up to the usual high standard Hepworth expected. Their pressure finally paid off in the 76th minute as a cross from Rebecca Purchon was met by Hannah Nicholl and the pint sized warrior out jumped everyone to head home to make it 3-1. Not the result Hepworth wanted to overhaul the leaders or just before a final but the squad will re group and go again. The player of the match award was awarded to Lucy Pickles who had a solid performance on her way back from a long injury layoff and is forcing her way back into the team.