Leeds United Ladies Reserves 1- 6 Nottingham Forest Reserves

FA Women’s Premier Reserves League North

Sunday 08.09.13 from Stadium View, Harrogate Railway FC

 

Leeds United Ladies Reserves endured a difficult day on Sunday as they kicked off their 2013-14 league campaign with a 6-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest Reserves.

Playing in their first competitive game together a youthful Leeds side started in sluggish fashion as Forest opened the scoring after 8 minutes through a Molly Cawthorn own goal.  The Leeds youngster inadvertently deflecting a right wing cross into her own net.

A second Leeds own goal on 33 minutes saw Forest double their advantage before the visitors capped a fine first half performance with a third just before the break.

Following some halftime encouragement from Manager Gaz Lees Leeds came out with renewed vigour and despite conceding further goals enjoyed a much improved performance.  At times Leeds passed the ball around with great aplomb but struggled to break down a much more experienced Notts Forest side.

Against the run of play Forest added a fourth with a terrific 25 yard effort leaving Leeds keeper Lauryn Coleman with absolutely no chance.

On 70 minutes Leeds finally scored the goal their efforts had warranted as Emily Starkie pounced to poke home following a hectic scramble in the Forest box.

As fatigue set in Leeds concentration levels dipped and this lapse allowed Forest to close out the game with two late counter attacking goals.

“We’ll have to sit down and review the performance before regrouping for next week’s game,” commented Leeds Reserve Manager Gaz Lees after the game.  “Losing is never easy but its part of the game and how we deal with setbacks like this will go a long way in defining who we are as a team.  We’re a young side with plenty of potential and at times in this game we showed we’re plenty capable of dominating possession and creating genuine goal scoring chances.”