Match previewTwo second half goals were enough to send Leeds United Ladies to their first defeat of the season against Blackburn Rovers Ladies at Radcliffe Borough.

Both teams struggled in poor weather conditions, and goals always looked in short supply, but Leeds will have felt unlucky to go in level at half time having had most of the early play.

Whatever Blackburn’s manager said at half time though did the trick, and their forays into the Leeds half became more frequent. But the deadlock was broken in the 51st minute when Danielle Sheen was impeded by Nat Staneff in the penalty area, with Nicky Twohig converting to open the scoring.

Sheen looked ever more dangerous as the half progresses, and her hard work was rewarded after 78 minutes when she deftly controlled a long ball over the top before firing confidently past Leeds keeper Jules Draycott.

“After a result like this, we need to reflect,” said Leeds manager Gemma Grainger. “We need to look at what went wrong in the second half compared to the first, and learn from the mistakes we made. Overall I’m pleased with the performance, but a bit of naivety cost us dearly.”

The defeat drops Leeds down to fourth in a closely-contested table, with third-placed Sunderland the visitors to Throstle Nest, Farsley, on Sunday 26 September.