Match Report: Spoils Shared Between Leeds and Chester-Le-Street

We All Love Leeds continues their fantastic partnership with Leeds Ladies with another match report from their latest fixture against Chester-Le-Street.

After recent blips in form Leeds were looking to get back to winning ways as they welcomed Chester-Le-Street to Garforth this past Sunday. With Bridie Hannon, Erin White and Shelbey Morris all picking up knocks in midweek, manager Lee was forced into a changed starting XI. Olivia Smart, Rachel Ackroyd & Sophie Thompson were all recalled to the team with Pringle and Gunnell keeping their places after impressing in the previous two games. 

Leeds found themselves in all too familiar territory early on as in the 8th minute after some hesitation at the back Chester pounced to make it 1-0. Just 5 minutes later when a clearance from a throw in only fell as far as a CLS striker who noticed Wattam back pedalling deftly lobbed the ball in from 30 yards doubling the away side’s advantage.

Leeds were determined not to roll over and immediately went on the offensive. After some great build up play between Pringle, Doherty & Ackroyd the ball fell to Demi Pringle whose curling shot just whistled wide of the far post. In the 25th minute it was Pringle again causing all sorts of problems with her pace as she went past one player & cut back inside the area the defender kicked out & caught Pringles ankle & the ref had no choice but to point to the spot. Skipper Emma Bentley stepped up & calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner making it 2-1.Ten minutes later Leeds were back on level terms when Ackroyd latched onto a pinpoint 30 yard cross field ball to turn and shoot from 35 yards out, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot and send the sides into the break all square.

On the hour mark it was Georgia “Bob” Wattam to the rescue as CLS broke on the counter attack and Bob pulled off a great save to deny the opposition striker. Ten minutes Bentley crossed the ball in and a good chance fell to Pringle whose shot was saved the rebound fell to Starkie and the keeper bounced back up to make a great second save. With just 15 minutes left Supporter’s Club Player Of The Match Olivia “Deej” Smart played a beautiful through ball for Doherty and the crowd were all on their feet as the shot came in it beat the keeper but not the post and just went wide.

With six minutes of injury time neither side could find the elusive winning goal and went home with a point a piece. Leeds will now have time to regroup before the next league fixture on October 25th at home to fellow promotion chasers Chorley. In the meantime it’s a hat-trick of away cup fixtures starting in the FAWPL Plate next Sunday where they travel to Birmingham & West Midlands.

By Brendan Devereux