Amy Turner v Charlton
Leeds United Ladies FC 2-0 Charlton Athletic Ladies FC
FA Women’s Premier League
Sunday 03.03.13 from Throstle Nest
A goal apiece from striker Carey Huegett and midfielder Rachel Lee was enough to see Leeds to a comfortable 2-0 win over Charlton at Throstle Nest on Sunday.
Unbeaten since mid-November Leeds failed to reach their free flowing best in this game but still showed more than enough class to dispatch the Addicks with the midfield trio of Captain Clare Sykes, debutant Olivia Thackray and goal scorer Rachel Lee controlling the centre of the pitch.
Leeds enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the contest and spent long periods penned deep in the Charlton half but perhaps lacked the precision needed in the final third to persistently break through a dogged Charlton defence.
It took Leeds until the 28th minute to make the breakthrough their play had warranted with forward Carey Huegett clinically finishing a wonderful move. The striker darting in behind her defender to collect an inch perfect Sykes through ball before neatly dispatching it into the bottom corner with the outside of her right boot.
Missing the injured Gemma Bryan Charlton were largely toothless up front and Leeds made sure of all three points when Rachel Lee finished off a fine set piece move in the 70th minute. Carey Huegett swung in a vicious corner from the right which was flicked on neatly at the near post by Hayley Sharp and left Lee free at the far post to loop a neat header up and over into the far corner of the net.
“I think we got a deserved three points today,” said Leeds Manager Andy Burgess after the game. “We were very professional in our performance, we never really looked in any trouble at the back and to keep our second clean sheet in a row is particularly pleasing. Olivia Thackray did well on her debut and we can now switch our attention to Wednesday’s County Cup semi-final.”
Still time for one last Leeds attack as they force another corner…
Swung in by Huegett and it hits the near post and cannons back out of play. Everyone just left it!
Kez releases Sheen who shoots first time but its wide. Lovely move from Leeds. charlton look out on their feet here at the back as we enter injury time.
And Abbie Lee almost makes a telling introduction as she drills one fromk the edge of the box only narrowly wide of the near post. Nice strike and unlucky.
Final sub for Leeds as Thackray comes off for Abbi Lee. Decent game for Thackray today. Nice to have her back in the Leeds ranks.
News filtering in that Watford are 4-0 up – a Sarah Wilshere hatrick and Sunderland are currently 2-2.
Leeds have not been at their free flowing best here today, especially in the final third but the midfield trio have dominated and its as comfortable now for Leeds as it has been.
Oooh. From nowhere Dixson finds herself with a great chance for Charlton. Unmarked ten yards out the ball loops to her but she drills it straight at Draycott – a let off for the home side.
Sub for Charlton as Simmons comes off for Jones. That means Charlton will switch to a back 3 for the closing stages.
There’s about ten minutes to go now as the game peters out towards its conclusion. Leeds look happy top maintain possession and Charlton look reluctant to press forward.
Leeds are camped in the Charlton half here now as Charlton look content to just thump everything long. Leeds are moppping it all up at the back and in complete control.
Lipman looks to be enjoying her forward role now. The normal rightback is playing as a right winger and has skinned her fullback three times already.
Its all Leeds now as they look in complete control. Sheen has looked lively since coming on and Leeds look to be on their way to three valuable points.
Lipman makes a strong start to her game as she drifts past Simmons and whips in a lovely cross. It’s cleared but Lipman seems to be showing no signs of the hamstring injury she picked up last week.
Change for Leeds as Bass goes off and Lipman comes on. Another good game for Bass today.
Leeds break down the right again and win another corner. Swung in by Huegett, flicked on at the near post by Sharp and Rachel Lee loops a return header up and over into the far corner. Thoroughly deserved, she’s had a great game today.
2-0 Rachel Lee!!
Charlton try from distance as Graham hits it but draycott gathers comfortably.
Kez wins a freekick about 30 yards out on the left touchline. Swung in by Lee and out for a corner.
Swung in by Kez and cleared. Leeds could just do with upping the tempo here now, they’ve got Charlton on the rack.
It’s a little flat so far here in the second half. Leeds are still on top and having way more possession but can’t find the way through a stubborn Charlton rearguard effort.
Sub for Charlton as Gibson comes on for McKeag.
Bit controversial as the ref stops the game as a second ball flies over the stand and bounces next to Bass. Bass was away down the right then but Leeds win the drop ball and Thackray slices a shot wide from distance.
Charlton look more dangerous on the break second half. Shepherd has come to life and has looked lively. Leeds are still on top but could do with a second to make it comfortable.
Leeds win another corner as they break quickly with Bass. Staneff is adjudged to have illegally moved the defender. freekick to charlton.
Great defensive work from Emmonds in her own box as she blocks a McKeag shot. the ball just looped up to her in space but Emmonds quickly closed the space to prevent the shot
Leeds make that change and Sheen’s first input wins a corner. Swung in by Kez and Staneff powers a header straight at Lynch in the goal. Another decent set piece.
Danielle Sheen is warming up and is set to come on for Rich.
Charlton win a rare freekick in Leeds territory. Swung in by Dixson but comfortably cleared by Sharp.
Slow tempo in this one. I know we can’t fly around every week but Leeds normally play much quicker than this. Its leading to plenty of possession but not as many chances.
Thackray wins another conrer with a mazy dribble down the left channel…
Swung in by Kez, it clears everyone to the back post where Sharp lobs it back in and cleared off the line by Flack. Nice set piece move from Leeds.
Long ball bounces threateningly for leeds until Emmonds hacks it clear. Leeds break and Rich wins a corner…
Swung in by Kez and cleared but Rich smashes the clearnace towards goal but its high and wide.
Slowish start for the second half. Leeds are slwoly popping it about whereas Charlton are still looking for the quick counter.
We’re off…
The teams start coming out for the second period. No changes I can spot.
Few halftime scores for you..
Sunderland are drawing one one with Coventry
Watford are one up against Villa
and Cardiff beat Man City 2-1.
That’s halftime. Leeds have been by far the better side but will be dissapointed to only go in one goal up. We’ll be back shortly for the second half.
Lucky escape for Leeds there as Draycotts clearance is charged down by Shepherd. Luckily for Leeds the rebound goes straight to Sharp who belts it clear.
Oops! Rich air kicks when clear down the left. Just about sums up the first half for Leeds so far – brilliant till the final third and then very patchy. With a bit more concentration this game would be over.
The extent of Leeds domination is emphasised by the fact there isn’t a Charlton player more than 30 yards from her own goal and hasn’t been for quite some time. Leeds are controlling it but Charlton are maintaining their shape and making it difficult to get through.
Murphy strides forward from rightback and beats one before sliding a lovely ball through to the advanciong Thackray. Paye did well to get across and squeeze it clear but more nice play.
Leeds are maginifcent until the final third today. The build up has been silky at times but that final ball just keeps letting them down. This time more nice link up sees Lee just overhit Rich.
Charlton finally get a respite as Murphy brings down McKeag about 30 yards into the Charlton half. Just slightly mistimed from Murphy and it looked like it hurt. Slight delay while McKeag gets treatment.
Oooh, a lovely length of the field break sees Leeds go close again. Staneff breaks it up om the edge of her own box, she feeds Kez who swivells and releases Bass. Bass drives on down the right and drills a low ball for Rich but she’s a step behind the ball and just misses out on striking it. So close and lovely football.
More nice link up from Leeds as Lee and Thackray exchange balls before Lee releases Rich but Simmons is over to clear. Nice idea from Leeds.
Charlton win a freekick but its overhit and collected by Draycott. Leeds are growing in confidence here while Charlton look slightly out of their depth.
Goal Leeds!!!!! Carey Huegett 1-0
It’s been coming – this time Sykes finds the perfect ball this time and Kez neatly dispatches first time with the outside of her right. Thoroughly deserved. Come on Leeds.
The ball hasn’t left the Charlton half for more than a second in about ten minutes. Leeds are dominating but as of yet have nothing to show for it. Emmonds is starting to get more and more involved down the left and now she wins a corner…
Laid off by Huegett to Emmonds who whips in a lovely ball which Sykes powers inches wide. Unlucky, another good chance for Leeds goes wide.
Now Thackray smashes a first time left foot shot that drills inches wide of the far post. The debutant looks up for this today.
Oooh, Thackray lobs it through for the advancing Sykes but Lynch is out quick to smother at the edge of the box. Lovely idea but as with everything so far just slightly off.
Still Leeds patiently control the pace. Lee drives forward and crosses but its overhit and threw to Lynch in the Charlton goal.
Manager Andy Burgess has seen enough, he’s down to the touchline screaming and encouraging his side. he wants Leeds to up the tempo, so far they’ve controlled it but it’s been a pedestrian pace.
The Leeds central midfield trio of Sykes, Lee and Thackray are domiating this game. If the three in advanced areas can just improve the precision in the final third then there’s goals here for Leeds.
Mistake from Murphy leaves Shepherd clear but Sharp gets back to cover and releases Huegett who advances and tries a lob that flies narrowly wide. Ambitious but close.
Nice move from leeds sees Rich cut in from that left wing but she overruns it and its cleared by the fullback. Leeds throw and Thackray slips a first time ball off to Lee who releases Bass but she’s adjudged offside when lookiong down the line. So close, Bass checks that run and she’s one on one.
Dixson tries a 30 yarder but its easily saved by Draycott.
Leeds look confident here today, they’re calmly popping it about and patiently probing for the gap. They look threatening and with a bit more precision in the final third could be in front already.
Charlton break quickly with Dixson releasing Shepherd but the ever dependable Staneff blocks her progress and kick starts another Leeds attack which breaks down deep in Charlton territory.
Leeds try it again and this time Sykes releases Rich one on one but Rich’s lob beats the keeper and clips off the post to go wide. She should have scored with that one.
Leeds are still looking for that diagonal ball inbetween centreback and fullback. Lee was close to releasing Bass who’s started off like she played last week.
Thackray releases Bass down the right but it’s just run o0ut of play. Promising signs from the new girl, she was only inches away from a lovely ball there. Leeds are building pressure
Lovely run form Bass sees her beat her fullback down the right and whip in a cross only inches from Rich’s head. Nice play from Leeds
Charlton are still employing their counter attacking style, we wondered if they might switch through the absence of Bryan.
Lovely sliding tackle from Murphy stops McKeag from breaking down the left. Its all Leeds so far but without any chances to show for their possession.
A series of throws for Charlton from inside their own half but so far they can’t clear.
Leeds are slowly turning the screw as they pin Charlton deep. No chances yet but Leeds have had more of the ball and all of the territory
Patient start from Leeds as they slowly pop it round the back. They’re trying to manouvre space for a diagonal ball inbetween centreback and fullback biut so far Charlton remain tight
Slow start as Leeds pump it long and Charlton clear.
Early signs see Thackray sitting on the left of the midfield central trio with her looking to be the most advanced of the three.
It’ll be Leeds to kick off playing from left to right.
Here we go…
The gaffer has joined us in the press box for today’s game, his antics and enthusiasm are always a welcome addition to the press box, I’ll keep you informed of any pearls of wisdom that slip out!
The teams are coming out now… they’re lead out by some of the children from Brakenhead Primary School, a big thanks to all our mascots today…
A big thanks to Gary Taylor for helping me out with the mic duties today (I’m full of cold and can hardly pronounce a single word properly at the moment!)
Leeds will be in all white today with Charlton in their change sky blue shirt.
Just a quick shout out to our biggest fan Tor Eric who’s over in Norway following the action with us today, here’s hoping it’s as good a game as when you against Charlton at their place. Or the one last month, either way and we’re in for a treat.
Hello & welcome to a lovely Throstle Nest for todays game against Charlton…
We’ve had two cracking 3-2 wins for Leeds the previous times these two teams have met this season. Here’s hoping for another cracker today.
Team News for Leeds today…
1. Jules Draycott
3. Stacey Emmonds
6. Billie Murphy
5. Hayley Sharp
12. Nat Staneff
4. Rachel Lee
8. Clare Sykes
9. Carey Huegett
10. Olivia Thackray
11. Tanya Rich
14. Bekki Bass
Subs:
2. Emma Lipman
7. Danielle Sheen
18. Abbie Lee
19. Georgia Robert
So new signing Olivia Thackray makes her second debut for the club in the middle of the park with Sharp dropping to centreback and Murphy sliding over to fullback to cover for the injured Lipman.
Team news for Charlton…
13. Megan Lynch
2. Katie Flack
3. Stef Simmons
4. Kim Dixson (C)
5. Rosie Paye
6. Athena Yennaris
7. Jenny Newman
8. Charlotte Long
9. Kit Graham
10. Gemma Shepherd
11. Megan McKeag
Subs:
12. Saron Jones
14. Courtney Gibson
Should be a cracking game today, we’ll be back in just a few minutes…
That’s it. 2-0 Leeds. Not at their sparkling best today but more than good enough to pick up all three points. Back to back clean sheets will please the manager and Leeds march on in 2013.