Ladies 3s lose to tough opposition
Ladies 3s put in a battling perfromance away to a strong, well organised Leeds team but eventualy lost 4-1 as the home team's pressure told.
Leeds III 4-1 Halifax III
Halifax Ladies third string were under pressure from the off in this rearranged fixture against a strong Leeds team.
With several third team players unavailable Halifax were able to give experience to fourth team regulars Beth Smith, Gypsy Goldthorpe, Jo Hardingham and Elin Ha. The defence of Nicola Boulton, Rachel Rosier, Anna Butterworth and Regan Midgley held firm until midway through the first half but Halifax failed to keep possession and mount any pressure of their own and the pressure finally told from a well organised short corner which Leeds converted.
Leeds added another goal before the break when the ball was quickly switched from one side of the pitch to the other to find an attacker unmarked at the back post. Halifax came back into the game towards the end of the half with Vicky Ferdinando going close.
Halifax started the second half brightly with April Hendy and Beth Smith’s tireless running putting pressure on the Leeds ball and Jo Hardingham making some excellent tackles. With the midfield and attack starting to string some passes together Halifax enjoyed occasional breaks into the Leeds circle. April Hendy went close from a corner, with a well struck shot going just wide of the post.
Leeds then reasserted their ascendency and a series of attacks were saved by the in-form goalkeeper Becky Fisk.
Eventually the pressure told and Fisk was beaten by a massive deflection off team mate Nicola Boulton. Leeds added a further goal before Margaret Bottomley broke through to fire home a consolation goal for Halifax.