The Reds were on the road as they took on Northampton at Sixfields Stadium.

With the prospect of playing in decent stadium, the gaffer made several changes to his starting lineup with Abi Housecroft, Laura Bartup and Anita Gaspar returning to the team, with Olivia Richardson and Gracie McGregor dropping to the bench and Jodie Snelson suspended.

A fast start from the hosts resulted in Northampton’ Number 9 Jemima Footitt making her way into the box before smashing it past the skipper, leaving her no chance to save it.

After this, the Reds started building up possession and created several opening, with several efforts on goal going over and wide and not really testing the opposition goalkeeper. The hosts received the first yellow card of the afternoon after Anita Gaspar turning the defender to a point they refused to let go.

Northampton then created a couple of chances of their own, using their over the top ball to the impressive Number 10 Jade Bell, but on both occasions Bean Clarke was on hand to keep the score to 1-0 and give the Reds a chance of getting something from the game.

With 33 minutes gone it was Bean to the rescue as another looped ball saw Bell 1-on-1, with McCreadie putting pressure on the striker and then Bean making a brilliant save to keep it 1-0 going into half time.

Just before the half time whistle, the Reds created an opening of their own with the ball falling on the edge of the box to Misty Russell who’s long range effort went just wide.

Half Time Northampton Town Women 1-0 Barnsley Women’s FC

The Second half started just like the first ended with both teams trying to get possession and neither side creating a chance, that was until the 56th minute when a long looping ball which found the Northampton number 10, Jade Bell, who played a neat ball across goal to the open Fay Noble who had a simple tap in.

The Reds made their first substitution on the 58th minute as the injured Paige Crossman was replaced by Gracie McGregor. Within a minute of the substitution Eve Marshall was booked for a discussion with the ref which, judging by the yellow card coming out faster than he gave the free kick in the first place, could not have been exchanging pleasantries.

After a good piece of play, we had a free kick in shooting territory, with the attempt from Bartup calmly taken in by the opposition keeper. From the resulting attack, Bean Clarke impressively tipped a looping effort over the bar.

The Reds then carved out their best chance of the game. A delicious ball across the park from Becks Hornsey saw a great exchange between McGregor and Jarvis, with the latter crossing the ball across goal only for Gaspar’s effort to be blocked in the box as it looked to be going towards goal. The hosts then saw a free kick awarded for a challenge by Lou McCreadie with the ref handing out yellow cards like tic-tacs at this point, being the third player booked in the game and second Reds yellow in a short space of time. Another injury offered an opportunity for Daniella Kraycheva, replacing Misty Russell.

The last ten minutes of the normal time saw possession for both sides, with the hosts creating a few more opportunities and the Reds creating openings which were defended well. In the 85th minute a punch out by the opposition keeper for a corner saw it connect with Eve Marshall and go narrowly wide.

Into injury time, with another injury forcing a substitution with McGregor being replaced by Olivia Richardson. At this point the game, and the technical area turned into chaos.

In the 92nd minute, following a looping ball which was not dealt with, Lou McCreadie was seen a second yellow for a foul on the edge of the box.

The hosts’ dugout was further on the pitch than some of the players on it. With every foul, every ‘apparent foul’ saw the behaviour of the opposition dugout get worse. An altercation which occurred saw the opposition assistant manager receiving a yellow card, which almost made me forget Laura Bartup’s late challenge which saw the ref give out another yellow card to the Reds, inbetween another great challenge from Bean Clarke rushing out to stop the number 10 Bell from creating another opening.

Full Time- Northampton Town Ladies 2-0 Barnsley Women's FC

Defeat on the road, yes. Lessons in how to behave on touchline required by the hosts dugout- most definitely.

We go again next week when we are on the road for our FA Cup tie away at Wythenshawe.

Barnsley XI Bean Clarke (C), Abi Housecroft, Paige Crossman (Gracie McGregor 58’ (Olivia Richardson 89’)), Maisie Norde, Becks Hornsey, Eve Marshall, Lou McCreadie, Misty Russell (Daniella Kraycheva 78’), Jemima Jarvis, Laura Bartup, Anita Gaspar

Yellow Cards Marshall 59’ McCreadie 73’ & 92’ Bartup 95’

Red Card McCreadie 92’