HATTRICK HERO KATIE MAYA GUIDES LEEK TO VICTORY

Leek made it two wins in two games in the league to start off the new year, with a comprehensive win away from home. It wasn’t a quick start for Leek with, Bedworth being the first team to get a shot on target in the opening few seconds, but a tame effort was comfortably dealt with by debutant goalkeeper and Leek’s new signing Erica Turner.

Chances came and went for Leek but in the 14th minute they got the opening goal, as winger Mollie Garner raced down the left wing and delivered a near post cross, finding the run of striker Katie Maya to flick the ball past the keeper. It soon became 2-0 to Leek with the same combination as the first, as Mollie Garner was played through by Chantelle Gallagher down the left wing, to deliver another low cross into the area to find Katie Maya free inside the area to slot the ball into the net. Bedworth almost scored to half the deficit, but again keeper Erica Turner got down low to turn the ball behind for a corner.

Leek defended tremendously limiting Bedworth to long range shots and crosses which was dealt with to keep their two-goal lead. It was a hattrick for Katie Maya just before half time, as a free kick delivered by Chantelle Gallagher to the edge of the box found Katie Maya in space, to strike a low effort into the bottom corner of the goal.

It was almost a perfect start for Leek straight from kick off in the second half, as Katie Gibbons was played through but saw her effort go the wrong side of the post. Straight from the goal kick, Leek won the ball high up the pitch, Chantelle Gallagher clever flick found the run of Katie Gibbons, but this time was denied with a superb save by the Bedworth keeper to deny her and increase Leek’s lead.

Leek were made to work hard in the second half with Bedworth determined not to concede any more with Leek missing a few more chances and the Bedworth keeper making more saves. Chantelle Gallagher thunderous effort from range just whistle over the crossbar, before Leek did get their fourth with two second half substitute combining, Lucy Goodfellow deep cross caused confusion in Bedworth’s back line, for Paris O’Connor capitalised on the mistake to head the ball into the empty net. Leek made it 5 nil, three minutes from time, with Chantelle Gallagher cutting in from the right-hand side of the box onto her left foot, to curl the ball beyond the reach of the keeper and into the far corner.

Leek next game is against league leaders Doncaster Belles on Sunday 23rd January at Harrison Park, where they will look to continue their fine start to the calendar year and to cement their place amongst the top five teams in the league in their debut season in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 Midlands.

Full Time
Bedworth United- 0
Leek Town- 5

Goal scorers- Katie Maya (14th minute, 28th minute, 38th minute) Paris O’Connor (84th minute) Chantelle Gallagher (87th minute)

Player of the Match- Chantelle Gallagher