16-year-old forward Maddie Biggs netted a superb first senior hat-trick as Town continued their historic cup run with a 4-1 victory over Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium on Sunday.
Biggs' first-half heroics were paired by another goal from Town's top-scorer Natasha Thomas, who netted her 23rd goal of the season. Huddersfield replied through Lucy Sowerby in the early stages of the second-half but the Tractor Girls held firm to become the first fourth-tier women's side in history to reach the last sixteen of the Women's FA Cup.
Town got off to the perfect start as Biggs opened the scoring within two minutes. Blue Wilson's pinpoint long-ball caused an almighty mix-up between the recovering defender and Terriers 'keeper Olivia Clark, allowing the teenage Town forward to slot into an open net unchallenged. Town began to take control of the early exchanges and Biggs was soon at it again as she doubled the Blues' advantage. After some nice build-up play, Sophie Peskett whipped a dangerous ball into the area and there was Biggs to glance her powerful header beyond Clark.
Huddersfield soon started to grow into the game but the Tractor Girls were soon three goals to the good after a devastating counter-attack. Abbie Lafayette switched the ball out wide to Peskett, whose inch-perfect cross found the arriving Thomas to turn home from six-yards. The Terriers weren't backing down despite their three goal deficit and soon began to pile on the pressure. They managed to carve out a few chances before Town goalkeeper Nikita Runnacles was forced into an incredible one-handed save from Leoni Price's thunderous strike. The Terriers' spell in the ascendancy was to be short lived as the Tractor Girls found a fourth on the stroke of half-time. It would be a moment to remember for Biggs as she confirmed her hat-trick by racing onto Thomas' excellent delivery before finding the back of the net with a composed finish.
Town boss Joe Sheehan made a double change at half-time in order to stifle Huddersfield's threat, with Lindsey Cooper and Sophie Peskett making way for Eva Hubbard and Ellie Rossiter. Despite the tactical switch, the Terriers continued to pile on the pressure and soon broke Town's resistance. After the Tractor Girls failed to clear their lines, Sowerby was on hand to smash home the loose ball and provide a glimmer of hope for her side. The hosts were buoyed by the goal and could've had a second shortly after but Runnacles made another outstanding save down to her right to deny Sowerby.
Biggs' incredible afternoon was soon brought to an abrupt end as she was forced off with an injury just after the hour-mark. Zoe Cossey came on to inject some much needed energy into a tiring Town side. Huddersfield continued their barrage of pressure deep into the game but Town's backline continued to stand firm against wave after wave of attacks. The Terriers would have one final chance in the dying moments but the outstanding Runnacles made another strong save to deny Laura Elford. The Tractor Girls' resilience would pay off as the full-time whistle struck, sending the Town players, staff and fans into raptures.
The draw for the fifth-round will take place live on BBC News at 6;40pm this evening, with Town (Ball 11) now the lowest-ranked side left in the competition.
Town: Runnacles (GK), Peake, Cooper (Hubbard), Egan, Wilson, Lafayette, Crump (C), Peskett (Rossiter), Grey, Thomas, Biggs (Cossey).
Unused: Williamson (GK), King, Pannifer, Wakefield.
Att: 1115
Town got off to the perfect start as Biggs opened the scoring within two minutes. Blue Wilson's pinpoint long-ball caused an almighty mix-up between the recovering defender and Terriers 'keeper Olivia Clark, allowing the teenage Town forward to slot into an open net unchallenged. Town began to take control of the early exchanges and Biggs was soon at it again as she doubled the Blues' advantage. After some nice build-up play, Sophie Peskett whipped a dangerous ball into the area and there was Biggs to glance her powerful header beyond Clark.
Huddersfield soon started to grow into the game but the Tractor Girls were soon three goals to the good after a devastating counter-attack. Abbie Lafayette switched the ball out wide to Peskett, whose inch-perfect cross found the arriving Thomas to turn home from six-yards. The Terriers weren't backing down despite their three goal deficit and soon began to pile on the pressure. They managed to carve out a few chances before Town goalkeeper Nikita Runnacles was forced into an incredible one-handed save from Leoni Price's thunderous strike. The Terriers' spell in the ascendancy was to be short lived as the Tractor Girls found a fourth on the stroke of half-time. It would be a moment to remember for Biggs as she confirmed her hat-trick by racing onto Thomas' excellent delivery before finding the back of the net with a composed finish.
Town boss Joe Sheehan made a double change at half-time in order to stifle Huddersfield's threat, with Lindsey Cooper and Sophie Peskett making way for Eva Hubbard and Ellie Rossiter. Despite the tactical switch, the Terriers continued to pile on the pressure and soon broke Town's resistance. After the Tractor Girls failed to clear their lines, Sowerby was on hand to smash home the loose ball and provide a glimmer of hope for her side. The hosts were buoyed by the goal and could've had a second shortly after but Runnacles made another outstanding save down to her right to deny Sowerby.
Biggs' incredible afternoon was soon brought to an abrupt end as she was forced off with an injury just after the hour-mark. Zoe Cossey came on to inject some much needed energy into a tiring Town side. Huddersfield continued their barrage of pressure deep into the game but Town's backline continued to stand firm against wave after wave of attacks. The Terriers would have one final chance in the dying moments but the outstanding Runnacles made another strong save to deny Laura Elford. The Tractor Girls' resilience would pay off as the full-time whistle struck, sending the Town players, staff and fans into raptures.
The draw for the fifth-round will take place live on BBC News at 6;40pm this evening, with Town (Ball 11) now the lowest-ranked side left in the competition.
Town: Runnacles (GK), Peake, Cooper (Hubbard), Egan, Wilson, Lafayette, Crump (C), Peskett (Rossiter), Grey, Thomas, Biggs (Cossey).
Unused: Williamson (GK), King, Pannifer, Wakefield.
Att: 1115
