Match report by Josh Allen:
Barnsley Women’s Football Club started with intent, looking to improve on a disappointing performance against Newcastle Women in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup last week.
The positivity was once again led by Lissa Woodhouse, but she was caught late and studded on the calf. The striker tried to continue but was forced off after just five minutes.
Louisa Barraclough came on in her place and that meant that youngster Madison Foye became the sole striker.
The Reds had early chances – none more so than when captain Kath Smith clipped a delicate ball over the top to find Foye. She looked destined to put it past the goalkeeper as she rushed out but mistimed her effort.
The press was working for Andy Glossop’s side as Bradford were penned in. Foye and wingers Darcie Greene and Courteney Csomor were harrying from the front and drawing fouls with their turn of pace.
Greene drove inside off the left flank and was shoved to the floor, winning a free kick 20 yards out. Midfield controller Lindsey Tugby hit the free kick and it was heading in, but for a strong hand from the goalkeeper and the cross bar.
The away side weathered the storm and began to grow into the game. They won their fifty-fifty battles and carved out two excellent chances that they failed to convert. A let off for Barnsley.
Glossop’s side got in behind time and time again, but clinical edge and finesse were lacking. There was a clear sense of frustration as Bradford were happy to slow the game down, with Smith picking up a yellow for a sinical challenge on half time.
The momentum continued with the home side into the second half, but the final touch was still not there.
Foye thought she had broken the deadlock but showed some naivety as she veered offside. She was once again involved as she slipped in Greene, who cut back a delicious ball across the box, but nobody was there to tap in.
Centre-backs Elisha James and Becky Troake were excellent throughout. The pair have the attributes to create a balance at the back – with James’ physicality and Troake’s athleticism and ability to step out.
The opening goal came 67 minutes in with Greene receiving the ball from Nat Watson, and Greene once again beat her marker to pull the ball back to Foye, who’s attempted effort fell perfectly for Csomor at the back post, who never looked like missing.
With just a one-goal cushion, the three points could quite easily slip from Barnsley’s grip. And so they did. Bradford were in on goal and Barraclough tried her best get a last-ditch challenge in but caught the player.
Goalkeeper Micha Boyes was sent the wrong way and things were all square at Oakwell Academy with just over 10 minutes to go.
The referee had another decision to make as Foye was about to pull the trigger, when a Bradford defender slid through her first, before getting a toe to the ball.
The Reds knew that they had a physical game on their hands and tried to use this to draw set pieces. They came agonisingly close from a Tugby in-swinging free kick, where all that was needed was one flick.
Three players – plus the coaching staff on the touchline – flung themselves at it, but it went right the way through for a goal kick. The game finished 1-1.
A frustrating afternoon for Glossop’s side, but there will be hope going into the New Year, with key squad members returning for what is an intense second half of the season.
CATCH UP | In case you missed it, you can check out the highlights from yesterday’s 1-1 draw here: https://youtu.be/GBjnhvDKGE4

As it happened:
1’: It’s a positive start from The Reds as Woodhouse turns and looks to drive forward but is studded. Free kick to BWFC.
4’: More physio attention required for Woodhouse, who has gone down again after that studded challenge.
5’: SUB as Woodhouse is off through injury. Barraclough comes on with Foye moving up front.
10’: Barraclough has a left-footed attempt from 25 yards but it’s wide. 0-0.
12’: Free kick after some trickery from Watson draws the foul.
13’: Good chance! Pressure is resumed from the resulting free kick and Tugby swings it to the back post but Greene puts it over
14’: Tugby shows her tidy control and gives it to Smith, who clips an exquisite ball over the top to Foye but she puts it wide as the goalkeeper storms out. 0-0.
16’: Handball shout! Greene hits a shot from 20 yards and it strikes the Bradford defender on the arm, but the referee doesn’t spot it.
17’: Foye shows desire to nick the ball off the defender and gets the corner.
19’: The away side are penned in thanks to the high press from Andy Glossop’s side. We’re in the ascendancy but it remains 0-0.
20’: Greene is driving through and is forced to the ground by the chasing defender. Free kick from 20 yards as Tugby stands over this one.
21’: CROSS BAR! Tugby’s free kick is a sweet one but the ‘keeper gets a crucial hand to push it onto the bar and over.
24’: Greene beats 3 and lays off Foye, but she doesn’t quite get enough behind the shot.
24’: Opportunity as advantage is played and Smith just takes too long as the defender get back to block.
26’: A first effort for Bradford as the forward hits from 30 yards but is off target.
26’: Another attempt for the away side as they win the 50-50s but the ball into the box is put over. 0-0.
29’: Some time to discuss plans as there’s another stoppage in play through injury to a Bradford player. A strong first half an hour.
34’: Watson is caught late, so it’s a free kick, 45 yards out.
39’: Watson delivers an inch-perfect through ball to pick out Greene’s inverted run, but her touch let’s her down and the keeper collects.
41’: Doggid work from Csomor in the right midfield position. Block after block. Bradford corner.
45+1’: Frustration for the home side as Smith gets a yellow.
Half time and it’s still 0-0.
48’: We win the ball high up the pitch and it’s Greene who finds herself in behind but she puts her touch within reach of the goalkeeper. 0-0.
50’: Bradford give the ball away and Watson is first there. She progresses and hits it but straight at the keeper. Foye then thinks she’s in as she chases down a through ball but the goalkeeper is once again there. 0-0.
55’: It’s a goal for The Reds, but Foye has just gone too early - it’s still all square here. 0-0.
57’: CLOSE! Foye drifts wide and gives winger Greene the ball and dashes into the box, slips it across the six yard box but there’s nobody there! Good spell for Reds.
60’: It’s a rough challenge as Foye is clattered by the Bradford centre-back. No card given, sparking much confusion.
63’: Some positive defending from both centre-backs - Troake and James - today, really looking to step out of defence. 0-0.
67’: GOAL!! Watson brings it forward and plays it to Greene, who is pulled back but stays up, and she cuts it back to Foye who shoots. Her shot turns into a pass and Csomor pokes it in! 1-0.
69’: A stop in play gives time for a breather following an intense 25 minutes of this second half. Tugby is receiving treatment.
76’: PENALTY for the away side as Barraclough brings down her marker inside the area. 1-1 as Bradford concert from the spot.
79’: A good chance as Tugby strides forward, picks out Foye and she gives it to Greene, but she is intercepted as she tries to cut in. 1-1.
81’: HUGE decision! Foye is about to take her shot on from 10 yards but is slid from the side. Shouts for penalty but not given.
82’: Watson tries her luck from 25 yards but it fires wide
84’: Reds corner comes to nowt.
90’: The away side are staying resolute in their deep shape, making it tough for The Reds to penetrate. 1-1 with less than 2 mins remaining.
90+1’: AGONISINGLY CLOSE! The deep free kick into the penalty area just needs one flick on but two/ three Barnsley players can’t quite get there
90+3’: Corner to the Reds, still no reward for the effort.
FULL TIME | It finishes 1-1 at Oakwell Academy, despite the home side piling on immense pressure in the last knockings of the game.