Huddersfield Town Women gear up for long-awaited return to action

The Terriers have been back in full-team training approaching four weeks and manager, Jordan Wimpenny, is pleased with the level of performance thus far.

Huddersfield expect their season to kick off sometime next month, although their fixture list has yet to be confirmed.

“The training has been very positive and progressive," said Wimpenny.

"The girls have been exceptional in the way they have applied themselves through the week and we can see their small improvements within each of those sessions.”

Town sat in fifth place in the Northern Premier Division of the FA Women's National League table when the season was declared null and void.

Huddersfield's mid-table placing was largely down to their failure to keep more than two clean sheets and it is something which Wimpenny is keen to address.

“This is an area as staff and a team we are aware of. We have created a new way of playing that will help us particularly in this area to prevent conceding as many goals as possible," he continued.

"The girls have adapted well and we are looking forward to seeing this in practice on Sunday.”

At the other end of the pitch, however, the Terriers were potent in front of goal.

Top scorer Lucy Sowerby hit 20 goals in as many matches and Wimpenny is defiant that their improved defensive play will not detract from their attacking threats.

“We will take each game as it comes and prepare in the right way for each of those games," he said.

"The attacking fluidity and style of football we want to keep as much as possible because of the players we have within our side.”

If last campaign had not been declared void, it would have been Town’s lowest league finish in three years.

Huddersfield were without key players – Lauren Griffiths, Ella Harris and Brittany Sanderson – due to long-term injuries for much of the season and, in Sanderson’s case, the whole campaign.

Wimpenny continued: “All three players have been cleared from their recovery programmes which has been great news for us as a club.

“Luckily, they were cleared at the start of lockdown meaning they have been able to do their own work as well as train with us.

"Now we are back training as a squad they both look sharp and can’t wait to get back into those competitive fixtures.”

Their absence, however, paved the way for Emma Samways and Hannah Smith to make the step up from the development squad.

Both players made an impact as they each found the back of the net in the senior team and Wimpenny is keen to utilise the development squad again this season.

“We have created a clear pathway for players within the club that has opened opportunities for players to help bridge the gap between the different levels of the club which is positive for any player," added Wimpenny.

It has been the best part of five months since the Terriers stepped foot on a football pitch and, remarkably, it is Wimpenny’s first game in charge – the manager’s arrival was announced on March 23, the same day the country was placed into lockdown.

However, he knows his side are ready and raring to go for the test against Chorley on Sunday afternoon.

Wimpenny said: “Chorley have already played one pre-season friendly which I’m sure they will want to build on.

"They have also recently made a few new signings since that opening game so for us I would expect them to come and give us a game.

“They’ll try to make it difficult for us which means it will be a really good opening test for us as a team and we will look forward to welcoming them to us.”

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