Page 20 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.3 2012-22

Dronfield edge past Barnsley

Dronfield Town came from behind to finish 2-1 home winners over Barnsley Ladies in the first
qualifying round of this season’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup. Dronfield won their first tie in the
competition last season, while for Barnsley, this was their debut tie.
Played in front of a healthy crowd of over 200, the game’s first chance fell to Barnsley’s Ruby
Jex-Oldfield who, despite scoring goals for fun last season, was totally wayward after just two
minutes. Amy Lassu’s shot from 15 yards was just over on 19 minutes, while the closest Dronfield
came in the first half was when Megan Clement produced a superb save to her top left to turn aside a
fierce 22 yard from Carly Gill.
Barnsley, a separate outfit from Barnsley Women in the FA Women’s National League,
included several experienced players (at least five who had featured for the “Women” over the years),
were defensively very strong.
Barnsley started the second half briskly, Dronfield keeper Shelby Newbould coming out to
block Jex-Oldfield, while Charlotte Bailey came to the hosts’ rescue with a goal-line clearance to deny
Lynn Goodman. Ruby Burns was just over with Dronfield’s first strike after the interval. Dronfield
had a let off in a goalmouth scramble which included a fierce drive hitting the bar and bouncing down,
but deemed not to have crossed the line.
It was still goalless as the tie entered the last quarter, but goals were not far away. Jex-Oldfield
was unmarked at the far post to slot home from a low ball in from the right on 69 minutes. Dronfield
levelled eight minutes later as Annabel Davies, on the right of the area, curling a shot into the far
corner. With both teams going for a late winner to avoid the necessity of a penalty shootout (no extra
time), the closing stages provided much to keep the crowd entertained. Barnsley won a free kick 25
yards out, but Lassu was unable to get sufficient power to beat Newbould who gathered comfortably.
The winner came on 86 minutes, Davies being put clear, getting into the area and then coolly slotting
past the advancing Clement. Jex-Oldfield was then close to a late equaliser to prolong the drama, but
her shot from 25 yards dipped over.
It was third time lucky for Dronfield who had been beaten by Barnsley in both April and May
this year when the pair were in the Sheffield & Hallam Women and Girls League. For, with the regular
season curtailed, they were paired together in the initial group stages of League Cup whose format
was re-vamped to give the member teams the opportunity to play several games after lockdown
restrictions were eased to allow non-elite football to be resumed. Dronfield were 2-0 up in the first
encounter of April’s group games which determined those clubs who progressed to the main
competition and which to the Shield. However, hosts Barnsley hit back to clinch a 3-2 victory with the
winner coming very late in the game. Both, as expected, finished in the top two places in the group
and so advanced to the group stages of the League Cup where it was a case of deja vu. Barnsley won
4-2 at home to Dronfield, but, again, as the two heavyweights in their group, both qualified for the
knock-out stages where they were in separate halves of the draw. Both duly won their quarter-final
ties, but a penalty shoot out defeat at home to Wakefield Trinity Development in the semis ended
Dronfield’s interest. Barnsley lifted the Cup with a 3-1 win in the final to make it a successful weekend,
Jex-Oldfield having also appeared for their Under-18s who beat Sheffield FC 4-2 in that age group of
the Girls’ finals.
Dronfield’s reward is a home tie against Grimsby Town (who had a bye) and they will be
hoping for a repeat of their step 7 over step 6 victory, Barnsley having been promoted to the North
East Regional League via upward in the summer.
Dronfield Town: Shelby Newbould, Eleanor Rose, Carly
Gill, Charlotte Bailey, Lois Ratcliffe, Laurie Marris,
Jasmine Toland, Becky Hill, Ruby Burns, Annabel Davies,
Lauren Bailey. Subs: Roxy Paulucci, Krissy Humble, Tilly
Ironside, Jess Wilkes, Sophie Darlow, Lauren Hemingway
Barnsley Ladies: Megan Clement, Kirsty Thompson,
Rebecca Wilson, Macy Lunn, Ruby Jex-Oldfield, Carla
Whitehead, Amy Lyons, Amy Lassu, Jess Horsley, Brooke
Betts, Lynn Goodman. Subs: Anabelle Medley, Lucy
Wainwright
(Report and photo by Julian Barker) Annabel Davies scores the winning goal.
Issue no. 3 - 16 September 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk