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IT was a cup run that started on a cold, damp and windswept Sunday afternoon in Armley but it ended in beautiful early evening sunshine - when the only dampness in the air came from the spray of celebratory Champagne.
 Pic: Dave Maud, www.caughtinaction.co.uk / Fair Game United were not at their best but they were always going to be too strong for a spirited opposition who fought hard but lacked the skill to mount any serious challenge. They did manage to keep Leeds at bay for 20 minutes but it was no real surprise when skipper Tanya Rich added another goal to her impressive season’s tally with a well taken shot after working hard to create the opportunity. Five minutes later, and after a fine run, she turned provider allowing Emily Scott to sidestep her marker before rifling the ball home into the roof of the net. Leeds should have had a penalty on 28 minutes when a Howden Clough defender used her hand to stop Tanya Rich’s goal-bound header but not for the first - or the last - time in the game the referee failed to make the correct decision. Emily Scott notched her second on 40 minutes with another neat shimmy and shot to put Leeds three up and stand-in goalkeeper Carey Huegett did well minutes later to block Howden Clough’s best effort of the half. Leeds, with only 11 fit players, swapped goalkeepers at half time with Emily Scott taking the gloves. A scrappy period of play ended when an excellent shot by Emma Coates struck the bar and fell to Tanya Rich who nonchalantly tapped it home. Aimee Morrison got the goal she deserved on 75 minutes, after a number of near misses, with a decisive strike. Howden Clough enjoyed a brief moment of glory when they pulled one back minutes later but Leeds always looked likely to add to their tally and Carey Huegett and Lou Hunt both scrambled goals in the dying minutes to stretch United’s lead to a score which reflected the balance of the game. Leeds’ joyous celebrations were well merited - but there is still unfinished business. United will now switch their focus to maintaining their unbeaten league record in the final game of the season away at Liverpool. After that they will be able to party again at the Women’s FA Cup final in Nottingham where they will be presented with the Reserves Mid-North Division One trophy. Team: Carey Huegett, Lou Hunt, Sophie Hargreaves, Bridie Fox, Hayley Sharp, Aimee Morrison, Emma Coates, Sammy Conroy, Tanya Rich, Emily Scott, Fliss Middleton. Squad members unable to play due to injury: Sammie Leigh, Melissa Sherwood. |
