Leeds celebrated their recent cup win with a 6-0 demolition of visitors Watford Ladies at Throstle Nest.

Goals from Ellen White, Sue Smith, Jess Clarke, Letesha Cannonier and a brace from Remi Allen sealed a fine win for the League Cup champions.

Leeds had taken control of the game long before the 23rd minute, when the Watford defence failed to clear a Smith free kick, allowing Clarke to whip in a cross for White to open the scoring. Eleven minutes later, Allen poked the ball home from close range when the Watford keeper spilled the ball a yard out, to make it 2-0 at half time.

Despite their posession, and creating several chances, it wasn’t until the 75th minute that Leeds scored again, when Smith and the impressive Rachel Daly combined, allowing Smith to score her seventh of the season. Three minutes later, the returning Steph Houghton supplied Smith for Allen to score her second, at the second attempt.

It was left to newcomer Cannonier to make and score the last two for Leeds; her shot on the 87th minutes hit the post allowing Clarke to dive in and head home the rebound, while she scored her first senior goal with a fine half-volley in the 89th minute, after a Smith free-kick had struck the crossbar.

“This had the potential to be a bit of a banana skin,” said Leeds manager Rick Passmoor, “but we want that top-two place in the league. There’s plenty more points to play for this season, and performances like these are what I’m looking for.”

Sadly, the news wasn’t so good for the reserves; despite being bolstered by the appearance of first-team regulars Olivia Thackray and Gemma Bonner, they lost 1-0 to Preston North End.