AFC TELFORD UTD LADIES 0 - 4 LEEK TOWN LADIES

“Good performance today from our squad and happy for them that they have reached the league cup final. ” Ian Smith, Manager

Leek Town travelled to Telford for this semi-final encounter. In difficult conditions caused by the strong wind Leek started well with both Chantelle Gallagher and Katie Gibbons having early chances just wide of the target.
The Leek back four looked very strong and Telford were finding it difficult to penetrate in the final third.
It took Leek 20 minutes to make the breakthrough with Gallagher making a good run down the left and getting around the back of the Telford defence before pulling the ball back for Alice Painter to fire into the net.
15 minutes later Gallagher was again the supplier for Beth Cottrell who beat the Telford keeper with a great strike.
The excellent Telford no.7 Jaime Duggan was proving to be the main threat for Telford attacking with speed and causing a few problems. Telford had a good chance after a Duggan run but fired over the crossbar.
Rhian Morris and Kirsty Ryder were playing well as a unit together in midfield breaking up the Telford play and setting Leek on the attack again.
Leek finished the half on top.
A special mention for Leek’s back four Chloe Brown, Katie Maya, Alana Copeland and Emma Smith who did really well to keep Telford out whilst also facing a strong wind all half.

Half Time AFC Telford Utd Ladies 0 - 2 Leek Town Ladies

The second half started and Leek now had the wind at their backs. Lacey-May Smith and Debutant Lucy Goodfellow were introduced by Leek and Goodfellow got straight into the thick of things in midfield. On 53 minutes a line breaking through ball from Goodfellow found Gallagher who ran through and scored the third goal for Leek.
Telford then applied pressure to the Leek goal and won two corners which were cleared to safety by Leek. A good move between Simone Kelsall, LM Smith and Rehanne Mellor forced the Telford keeper into making a good save.
Telford then had a good effort on the Leek goal with keeper Hannah Austin making a good diving save.
Leek then won a free kick which Gallagher hit from 25yds to make it 4-0.
Telford never gave up and played with determination until the final whistle.

Full Time AFC Telford Utd Ladies 0 - 4 Leek Town Ladies
Leek Town player of the match was awarded to Katie Maya (Pictured)
Leek Squad: Hannah Austin, Chloe Brown, Katie Maya, Alana Copeland, Emma Smith, Rhian Morris, Kirsty Ryder, Bethany Cottrell, Katie Gibbons, Alice Painter, Chantelle Gallagher, Lacey-May Smith, Lucy Goodfellow, Rehanne Mellor, Simone Kelsall, Michaela Lockett.

Leek Town Ladies will play the winner of Stoke City Ladies v Shifnal Town Ladies in the final.
The final will be at Stone Dominoes ground on 05.05.19 with kick off at 10.30am.

Updated 22:50 - 29 Aug 2019 by Steve Reynolds