BOTH Barnsley women’s teams suffered damaging defeats in their promotion chases but now face huge top-of-the-table clashes on Sunday.
Barnsley Women’s FC slipped from first to third in National League Division One as they lost a second successive game – both to Durham Cestria.
The Reds – who are not affiliated with Barnsley FC – were hoping to avenge a 3-0 home humbling last month, their first league loss, and went 2-0 up through Autumn Housley and Emily Pierrepont.
But the hosts came back to win so Barnsley are now three points off top although they do have two games in hand on new leaders Middlesbrough who they visit on Sunday in a crucial game. There is only one promotion place.
Meanwhile, Oakwell-based Barnsley FC women were beaten 4-0 at Spennymoor Town in the North East Regional League.
The result ended an 18-match winning run in away games across two years as well as a nine-game unbeaten sequence since October 8 including seven straight wins.
Barnsley are still on top, with one to go up, but only on goal difference and the teams below them have games in hand.
They now visit second-placed Sunderland West End on Sunday.
Meanwhile, it was also a bad weekend for Barnsley teams in the Sheffield and Hallamshire League Cup.
Dearne and District lost 8-0 at Hemsworth, Mind Over Matter were beaten 7-0 at Kiveton Park and Penistone Church lost 3-1 at home to Sheffield Wednesday.
Penistone now visit Bentley on Sunday while AFC Pogmoor host Handsworth and Mind Over Matter welcome Wombwell Town in a Barnsley derby.
