LEICESTER UTD 0 - 1 LEEK TOWN (FA CUP FINAL QUALIFYING ROUND)

In this final Women’s FA Cup Qualifying round game between Leicester Utd and Leek the winners new they would be facing Lincoln City at home the following Sunday 10th Nov in the 1st round proper.
The game originally due to be played at Melton Mowbray was moved to 3G due to a waterlogged pitch.
Leicester who play in the Women’s National League which is the league above Leek started off well and looked very strong going forward especially down the flanks. An early long range shot was well saved by Bethany Cottrell in the Leek goal.
A good move between Katie Gibbons and Liv Mountford saw the later get a decent shot away but just wide of the target.
Alana Copeland and Rhian Morris we’re both very involved in the Leek midfield.
Leek then thought they had a good penalty shout when it looked like Mountford was fouled in the box but the referee waved all appeals away.
Leicester then had the ball in the Leek net but the forward had knocked Gina Rushton over in the process so free kick to Leek.
From a Leek cross Paris O’Connor had a good chance with a header but directed just the wrong side of the post.
Nothing much between the teams in the first half.
Half time Leicester Utd 0 - 0 Leek Town.

Leicester came out onto the attack at the start of the second half but the Leek defence held firm and both centre backs (Naomi Sale-Hancock and Gina Rushton) made important interceptions. Michaela Lockett had been brought on by Leek for the second half and looked sharp running at the Leicester defence.
Amelia Robb then combined with O’Connor and the ball found its way through to Chantelle Gallagher who took two players on and got a shot away saved by the Leicester keeper. The game was now end to end and Cottrell was again called on in the Leek goal after a good move by the Leicester team. Emma Smith then made a good block to prevent a shot on the Leek goal.
Lucy Goodfellow now introduced by Leek to provide some creativity and power to the Leek offence. Both teams were now going for the win as it looked like one goal may be enough in a very close game. With both sets of players now thinking about possible extra time Gallagher broke free of the Leicester defence and calmly chipped the out rushing keeper from 12 yards to put Leek in front with just a few minutes left. Gallagher who had kept a high work rate all game was then replaced by Rehanne Mellor and Leek played the final few minutes out to put themselves into the FA cup 1st round proper.

Full time Leicester Utd 0 - 1 Leek Town
Leek Town player of match given to Naomi Sale-Hancock. (Pictured)
Leek Squad: Beth Cottrell, Amelia Robb, Naomi Sale-Hancock, Gina Rushton, Emma Smith, Rhian Morris, Alana Copeland, Paris O’Connor, Katie Gibbons, Chantelle Gallagher, Liv Mountford, Michaela Lockett, Lucy Goodfellow, Rehanne Mellor.