Leek CSOB Ladies F.C had a week off from league action, and were involved in round one of the Ladies Challenge Cup, away against Kidsgrove Athletic Ladies F.C.

Leek got off to the perfect start, going 2-0 after the first 10 minutes, both goals coming from Laura Emery. But then Kidsgrove came back in to the game and scored two goals themselves in quick succession, before taking the lead themselves late on in the first half despite the good attacking football that Leek had been playing, and defensively they were strong too.

Laura Emery (pic) completed her hat-trick in the second half, as well as the first goal of the season for Christina Alice Elay, but a further 4 goals in the second half for Kidsgrove saw the final score finish Kidsgrove Athletic Ladies F.C 7 Leek CSOB Ladies F.C 4 in a really entertaining match, in which Leek constantly pressed and forced the issue.

Manager Phil Bruce said after the game "We got off to the perfect start, which has been a problem for us in our previous few matches, but then Kidsgrove had their spell and took full advantage of it. I've said to the ladies that the next stage in our development is to be able to hold on when teams have their spell of the match, rather than conceding goals, and this will come with experience. The general passing and possession was really good today, and people are starting to recognize the project that we have got going on and the progress that has been made, as opposing players, managers, and the officials are saying how far the ladies have come so far in comparison to the past and how good they are looking, which should fill the ladies with plenty of confidence."

After scoring her first goal for the club on her second appearance, Christina Alice Elay has already fitted in really well in the players and feels that the team will soon get the rewards that they deserve. She says "I have no doubt that a win is just around the corner, the team deserves it. In my debut match last week, I was just amazed at their attitude, 7-1 down and still playing like it's 0-0. That's a winning team in my opinion. The ladies are such a friendly bunch, and I was determined to get a goal for them today"

Leek CSOB Ladies F.C are back in league action next week, at home to Stoke Town Ladies F.C, 2pm kick off.