Leah Galton v Coventry earlier this season

Leeds United Ladies took all three points and some measure of revenge against Coventry City Ladies for the reverse fixture in September, which Coventry won.

Both sides looked to get control in a pacy opening first half with Leah Galton hitting the woodwork twice after turning her markers inside and out, Faye Birkby hit the crossbar from a lob while Tanya Rich had an attempt ruled out for offside.

Coventry were awarded a penalty when Birkby was judged to have brought down Kerry Bartlett just before half time, but Katy Male’s penalty hit the right-hand post and bounced back into play. Though she followed the miss by putting the ball into the net she was the only player to have touched the ball, which was ruled as a double play of the ball and Leeds were awarded a free kick instead.

It was Leeds who took command of the second half, and opened the scoring in the 57th minute when Clare Sykes picked up the ball out on the right, passed to Carey Huegett who ran it to the line and crossed perfectly for Hayley Sharp to get her fourth of the season.

Leeds made most of the chances in the remaining half hour, with Emma Johnson hitting the crossbar from distance and Millie Bright intercepting a poor pass back but having her shot saved by Coventry keeper Susan Wood. But the single goal was enough to move Leeds above Coventry, level on points with Sunderland and behind them by four goals.

“Today was a performance full of character and grit,” said Leeds manager Chris Welburn. “We were resolute in our defending and full of energy right throughout the team. I am really pleased to pick up the three points and keep our 100% away record going and stretch it to five wins on the road. We must now kick on and as always look to set the highest standards we can each week.”

Next up for Leeds is a run of home fixtures, with Nottingham Forest Ladies the first visitors to Farsley on Sunday 13 November.

Teams

Leeds Draycott, Emmonds, Sharp, Birkby, Lipman, Sykes, Huegett (Bright, 80 mins), Rich (Johnson, 73 mins), Galton, Holmes, Turner. Unused subs: Coates, Danby, Murphy.

Coventry Wood, Durrant, Lynch, McKenna, Male (Mellor, 82 mins), Simpkins (Farrow, 73 mins), Dermody, Sweetman-Kirk, Formaston, Bartlett and Saulter (Barber, 82 mins). Unused subs: Steele and Rogers.