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LEEK TOWN LADIES 1 - 4 SPORTING KHALSA LADIES 1ST

LEEK TOWN LADIES 1 - 4 SPORTING KHALSA LADIES 1ST

Ian Smith19 Nov 2017 - 17:38
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Leek Town Ladies pushed Women's Premier League team all the way in the Staffs Ladies Challenge Cup.

Very proud of all our players who battled so hard. We managed to stick to the game plan for 82 minutes against a top Women's Premier League team. Just those last few minutes cost us after we had given our all. Could not of asked for more from our player
- Ian Smith, Manager

Leek Town Ladies started well against Women's Premier League team Sporting Khalsa and on 5 minutes left back Mollie Shaw broke through and got a good shot away just over the bar. 3 minutes later after some good work from Kirsty Ryder the ball came to Lacey Smith who had to rush her shot snatching it just wide of the goal.

After this the higher league team applied lots of pressure and Leek defended and battled brilliantly throughout the whole team and managed mainly to reduce Sporting Khalsa to long range efforts which either went wide or keeper Hannah Austin comfortably dealt with.

Lots of hard work by Leek's back 4 and midfield kept the opposition out. The forwards closed down the Khalsa defence giving them little time on the ball. Leek had another chance on 30 minutes when Jules Kendrick won the ball and played to Kim Sheldon who found Kirsty Ryder in space on the edge of the box, Ryder got a good shot away but again just agonisingly wide of the top corner with keeper beaten.

Leek then soaked up more pressure with Charlotte Bromley making a couple of timely interceptions and centre backs Emma Smith and Naomi Sale Hancock clearing the ball on several occasions.

Leek were now growing into the game and Lacey Smith provided some good hold up play. Alice Painter had a good run down the right and made a good low cross into the box which Michaela Locket just failed to connect with.

Elise Skelding was introduced and provided good pace and battling ability up front. Just before half time it seemed like a Khalsa striker was through but quick left back Shaw got back and came away with the ball.

Half time Leek Town 0 - 0 Sporting Khalsa 1st

Leek made a very good start to the second half with Emily Boon having a couple of good runs down the left. On 50 minutes Lockett won the ball on the right edge of the box and beat a defender before playing the ball in to Skelding who produced an excellent finish to put Leek in front.

5 minutes later however Khalsa scored an equaliser just catching Leek out before they settled again. It was then all out attack from the Women's Premier League side but Leek played and defended really well as a team and with extra time on the horizon it wasn't until the 82nd minute that Leek were broken down and Khalsa went into the lead for the first time.

Leek then had to come out and try to attack again but found themselves pinned back a little. After a good clearance from Hannah Johnson the ball was won and played back to a Khalsa Striker who hit the post and the ball bounced across the line for a tap in.

Khalsa scored again in the dying minutes to make it 4-1 which flattered them a little as Leek had held the score at 1-1 for 82 minutes.

Great effort from Leek with Sporting Khalsa deserved winners in the end (just).

Leek Squad. Hannah Austin, Charlotte Bromley, Naomi Sale-Hancock, Emma Smith, Mollie Shaw, Kim Sheldon, Jules Kendrick, Kirsty Ryder, Alice Painter, Lacey-May Smith, Michaela Lockett, Elise Skelding, Emily Boon, Hannah Johnson, Simone Kelsall.

Managers player of match: Naomi Sale-Hancock. (Pictured)

Further reading