Well fought close game, our players have done the club proud but sadly just missed out. Sutton Coldfield are worthy winners and all 3 of our encounters with them have been played in the correct manner and spirit intended by both teams.

- Ian Smith, Manager

This was always going to be a close final between the current first and second placed teams in the West Midlands Regional Women’s League Div 1.

Having played each other twice in the league already with both games being close each team knew what to expect. It was Sutton who pushed forward in the early exchanges with Leek pressing and defending well as a team with some good counter attacking football.

This theme continued and Sutton had a couple of half chances not taken. Leek then made themselves a great opportunity when on 17 minutes Kim Sheldon put Michaela Lockett through, the Sutton keeper came out well and just did enough causing the resultant shot to be just over the crossbar. 4 minutes Later a Sutton forward latched onto a loose ball and fired home to open the scoring.

Another good chance came Sutton’s way a few minutes later but Leek keeper Hannah Austin made a good save. Alice Painter found Rehanne Mellor on the edge of the Sutton 18yd box and she got a snap shot away but wide of the target.

Both teams now playing really well it was Sutton who had the next good chance hitting the post with a shot which Austin then gathered. Just before half time Lacey-May Smith got a shot away on the Sutton goal but did not trouble the keeper.

Half time Sutton Coldfield Ladies 1-0 Leek Town Ladies

Both teams defensively very good making chances few and far between and Leek tried to push forward looking for the chance of an equaliser. Leek made themselves 2 or 3 half chances all gathered by the Sutton keeper. Leek introduced fresh legs on both flanks bringing on both Emily Boon and Elise Skelding and Leek pushed on up the field.

Leek’s best chance was to come when Midfielders Jules Kendrick and Kim Sheldon combined to get the ball through to Mellor, Mellor still with plenty to do burst through on goal and got a good shot away which was agonisingly just over the bar.

Sutton then had a couple of good attacks with the Leek defensive four doing very well to keep out. For the last few minutes Leek swapped a defender for an extra striker to try and make the chance for an equaliser and continued to push forward until the final whistle.

Full Time Sutton Coldfield Town Ladies 1 - 0 Leek Town Ladies

Leek Squad (Pictured after game) Hannah Austin, Charlotte Bromley, Naomi Sale-Hancock, Emma Smith, Simone Kelsall, Jules Kendrick, Kim Sheldon, Alice Painter, Michaela Lockett, Laura Baskerville, Rehanne Mellor, Lacey-May Smith, Emily Boon, Elise Skelding, Charlie Awde, Kay Sheldon.