|
After an arduous journey to South Wales , Leeds had to prepare and focus on what could be a banana skin fixture. Match report by Rick Passmoor.
"The Gaffer announced the starting XL with a surprise appearance of Steph Houghton playing at left back . United started cautiously but dominated the early possession with good link up play and ball retention. As the half progressed Leeds started to probe at Cardiff's back line and looked in good order as they switched play across the park and got the wide players into some good attacking positions. Leeds were rewarded for their good play with two goals in 2 minutes. Firstly, Jess Clarke took the full back to the cleaners allowing Sue Smith a simple tap in at the far post and then once again skinning the full back and shooting passed the advancing City keeper. Leeds had Cardiff on the back foot and rocking. The players were growing in confidence and playing some of their best football for weeks. Another good passage of play involving Wright and Smith enabled Houghton to overlap down the left , produce a teasing cross and with Sutcliffe and Clarke ready to pounce the Cardiff central defender threw herself goalbound only to deflect the cross into the goal. The second half started in similar fashion with Cardiff looking demoralised and depleted. Smith once more jinked passed a defender to unleash a shot bound for the top corner only for the Cardiff keeper to push around the post. However from the resulting corner Houghton rose high above the defence to score the fourth of the game. From then on the spectacle became an anti-climax as Leeds found the game too easy and took their foot off the pedal. Both Emmanuel and Thackray squandered good chances and Leeds chose the wrong option many times in and around the final third, missing the chance to put Cardiff to the sword. Changes to personnel in the second half saw Ertha Pond make her second appearance for Leeds and Emily Scott, another young debutante who has come through the ranks at Leeds and the school of excellence. Rick afterwards praised the team. "I changed the team around to ensure no complacency and was more than aware of the impact such a long journey would have on the players. In the first half I was particularly pleased with the composure and decision-making in possession. The midfield trio of Holts, Mooro and Walts was impressive. I would also make a point on Houghton's top attitude throughout the game! "Three games, three clean sheets, nine points, but we can be better and - more importantly - the players want to be better." |
