After a few weeks off, the Reds were back at the OLP to take on Boldmere St Michaels. The reverse fixture saw an opening day draw for the Reds and a testing afternoon was anticipated.

The first 15 minutes saw the Reds struggle to get the ball down in the testing conditions with the hosts created a few openings and a great save by captain Bean Clarke kept it 0-0. However, the opposition capitalised in the 16th minute when a long hopeful ball saw the striker take the ball past Clarke and slot home to make it 1-0.

After the goal a spark was missing and something special felt like it was needed to get the Reds going, some great pressing and a free kick awarded did just that. It almost feels inevitable with a free kick 20-25 yards from goal and Laura Bartup stepping up that magic could happen and boom, 1-1. The ball smashed into the top bin.

This sparked a period of possession and the Reds were soon hitting their stride, with the opposition now starting to produce cynical foul after cynical foul. The worst one received by Becks Hornsey, who was forced off just before half time due to a rib injury caused by a horrible challenge.

The ref giving obvious fouls to the Reds sparked outcry with the oppositions secretary, who needs a lesson from our secretary Gary Birchall on how to behave whilst representing your football club. I can still hear him shouting yellow card like it was the only two words he knows. It would appear it wasn't just the secretary aggrieved by the refs 'unfairness' towards the opposition, with their manager being told more than once to stop being aggressive.

In stoppage time in the first half, our pressure finally told and who else but Jodie Snelson who notched her tenth goal of the season with an absolute worldie of as strike. 2-1 to the Reds and on the balance of the first half, a fair result.

Half-time sparked outrage from the opposition, with the opposition club secretary shouting at whoever would appease him. Again lessons in decorum from our very own Gary Birchall may be required, maybe an FA wide course should be offered? In the aftermath the oppositions number 21, Straker, was sin-binned for dissent.

Half time- Barnsley WFC 2-1 Boldmere St Michaels.

The second half started scrappily with neither side getting a foothold. Although it was cold, in the 59th minute it heated up. The opposition manager was sent off for what I can assume was a 'minor' disagreement with the referee and kicking a ball onto the pitch. In truth he also needs booking on Gary's decorum lessons.

Whilst our club secretary was escorting him to the stands, as if by fate, we made it 3-1. The ball was well worked and made its way to Laura Bartup in the box who cooly slotted it home to make it 3-1.

A double substitution came in the 66th minute as the impressive Snelson and Bartup were replaced by Misty Russell and Olivia Richardson. Just a minute later it was 3-2 where a chance attack was finished well by the opposition number 18. (There wasn't a number 18 on the team sheet so I can't confirm the surname)

This kicked the Reds back into gear and after a nervy 5 minutes the game was sealed in the 73rd minute with a fantastic through ball from Brogan Hughes, finding the outstanding run by Olivia Richardson who took it past the keeper and calmly slotted the ball home.

The rest of the game was managed well and another sub with Abi Housecroft being replaced by Tally Diamond. The Reds saw the game home.

Full Time Barnsley WFC 4-2 Boldmere St Michaels.

* At the full time whistle their number 21, Straker, was sent off for some colourful words to the ref. A third person to book into Gary's decorum lesson.

Team: Clarke, Housecroft (Diamond 73') Marshall, Crossman, Norde, Hornsey (Barai 45'), Hughes, Jarvis, Gaspar, Bartup (Russell 66'), Snelson (Richardson 66')

Goals- Bartup (21', 61') , Snelson (45+3'), Richardson (73')

PoTM- Eve Marshall.