LEEK BATTLED HARD TO EARN 3 POINTS AT LEAFIELD

It was Leek who started the game the brightest, looking to test Leafield defence however saw their chances just go wide of the goal. As the half went on Leafield grew into the game, with their best chance coming from a cross into the box, headed with power back towards the far post but saw Becky Arnold blocking the ball with her body. It wasn't until the 31st minute where the game got its first goal, as Leek won a free kick just inside Leafield half on the left hand side, Becky Arnold stood over the free kick and delivered a ball towards the penalty spot for Cassie Hyde to rise the highest and head the ball into the corner of the goal. Leek almost made it 2-0 before half time, as another long ball into Leafield box wasnt dealt with and a bouncing ball came to winger Katie Gibbons, who struck a half volley just over the bar.

The second half began with Leek on the back foot with Leafield winning a free kick in Leeks half. The resulting free kick was misjudged by Leeks keeper Beth Cottrell, as the ball bounced into the goal, to level the scores. However straight from kick off Leek went on the front foot and 42 seconds from conceding they were back infront, as Katie Maya on the edge of the box flicked a bouncing ball to the side of her marker and struck the ball with power beyound the Leafield keepers reach.

Soon after scoring Leek were pushed back by the quick attacks of Leafield, who were denied another goal by two excellent saves in a space of seconds by Beth Cottrell, then saw a header from a corner cleared off the line by Rhian Morris. Beth Cottrell then made another crucial save on a 1vs1 and then moments later made another double save, leaving Leafield ruing their missed chances.

Lucy Goodfellow also came to Leeks rescue as she came on in the second half and was instantly called into action to make a late great slide tackle to stop the Leafield attacker through on goal. Leek could of made it 3-1 in the dying moments as Rehanne Mellor, chased after a long ball and after a defensive mix up gave an opportunity for her to score, but from a wide angle and under pressure her effort hit the woodwork.

Full Time

Leafield- 1

Leek Town-2

Squad- Beth Cottrell, Erica Turner, Naomi Sale-Hancock, Becky Arnold, Emma Smith, Gina Rushton, Cass Hyde, Rhian Morris, Shannon Weston, Mollie Garner, Katie Gibbons, Rehanne Mellor, Lucy Goodfellow.

Player of the match- Beth Cottrell