Barnsley FC Ladies boss Chris Hamilton believes his in-form side are capable of promotion after ending 2018 on a high.
The Reds are unbeaten in nine games – eight wins and a draw – which has taken them up to fourth in the 12-team Northern Division One after they were in bottom two in late October following just one win in their first seven matches of the season.
Their points tally of 19 is already two more than they picked up in the whole of last season – when they only avoided relegation on goals scored – while they are a point behind second-placed Brighouse Town and six off leaders Burnley.
Hamilton, who arrived at Oakwell in the summer, said: “There’s only one promotion place but it’s there for us if we really want it and we play at our best for the rest of the season. We have 11 games left and we have given the players targets as a team and individuals.
“We’re definitely not ruling out winning the league this season but there is a long way to go. The men’s team are going for promotion as well so it would be fantastic for the town if we could both do it.
"We had some difficult results at the start of the season but I always knew this run would come and, now we’re on it, we just want to keep it going as long as possible and see where we end up. The club has made massive progress this season and hopefully that continues.”
Barnsley were due to complete their 2018 games against Doncaster Rovers Foundation in the Sheffield Senior Cup but the opposition pulled out of the match, putting the Reds into the quarter-finals. Hamilton said: “It was a shame not to have a game but I organised a friendly against Wolves and we drew 3-3 so the girls had a good run out.
“I won the Lincolnshire County Cup with my old club Nettleham last season so hopefully Barnsley can do the same. We’re in the last eight of the WPL Plate as well so we are fighting on three fronts and looking to win them all if possible.”
Barnsley’s players will now have a break from training until January 3 while their next game is at Morecambe on January 13.
