Ladies 3s get deserved draw

Halifax III 1-1 Leeds University

After three consecutive wins Halifax III’s had a tough test against a quick and aggressive university team who started the match with a three point advantage in the league table.

Halifax started brightly but it was not long before Leeds University settled and put Halifax under pressure. The Halifax defence of Steph Hoyle, Alison McManus, Jess Stott, Nichola Boulton and Sharon Crawshaw stuck to the task well with some excellent tackles and covering which protected Kiera Hayman in goal and reduced Leeds’ shooting opportunities despite their superiority. McManus’ clearances, particularly from hit outs were excellent and gained territory for Halifax before the next wave of Leeds attack as the midfield and forwards failed to keep possession of the ball. Pressure told just before the break and Leeds University scored when the ball broke kindly for them in front of goal and the ball was forced past Hayman.

Following half time instructions Halifax spread the ball wide in the second half and had more joy going forward up the wings with Pheobe Tomlinson, Annie Denton and Anya Wasilewski managing to find space to drive forwards. This created more space in the middle of the pitch and despite Leeds still enjoying the lions share of possession Halifax started to create chances. A fantastic Boulton through ball put Emma Clarkson one on one with the keeper but the keeper was up to the task. At the other end of the pitch Hayman pulled off a fantastic reaction save with her glove in answer to an outstanding bit of skill as a Leeds forward pulled off an undercut reverse stick hit. This proved to be a decisive moment in the match.

After a quick interchange of passing in midfield between Zoe Ribchester, Vicki Ferdinando and Denton, the ball was released to Pheobe Tomlinson who broke into the circle to shoot. A Leeds stick deflected the ball to Clarkson on the penalty spot and she forced it past the keeper to level the match. The remaining fifteen minutes saw half chances at both ends but none were taken and the match finished as a draw with Halifax the happier of the two sides.