Preston North End Women’s FC 5-2 Leeds United Ladies FC
FA Women’s Premier League North
Sunday 08.09.13 from QED Stadium.
Leeds endured a difficult day on their travels as they fell to a disappointing 5-2 defeat to Preston North End at Bamber Bridge on Sunday.
Buoyed by last week’s impressive 5-3 home win over Derby County Leeds started the game well as they quickly established early control of the ball and dictated the tempo of the game. On 7 minutes some nice combination work between Olivia Thackray and Abbie Lee enabled Carey Huegett to try her luck from distance and the striker was unlucky to see her measured effort spectacularly tipped over by Preston keeper Danielle Brown.
Against the run of play Leeds found themselves behind after 21 minutes when influential Preston midfielder Gemma Watson scored from distance. Watson picking up the ball in space and striking from 20 yards with the shot zipping off the wet surface to sneak past Leeds keeper Sian Binks.
On 33 minutes Leeds struck back to level the score as the in form Huegett netted her third goal in as many games. The forward neatly collecting a pass from wingback Sarah Lawn in the left corner of the box before dipping her shoulder to create space and drill a lovely right foot finish into the near bottom corner.
With the sides level at the break Preston emerged for the second half with renewed vigour and retook the lead on 48 minutes after carving Leeds wide open down the middle of the park. Striker Becky Grocott racing through to collect a Gemma Watson pass before neatly slotting past the advancing Sian Binks into the bottom corner of the net.
Not to be undone Leeds bounced back to level once again on 54 minutes when Huegett added her second of the game from the penalty spot. Leeds leading scorer converting low to her left after strike partner Hannah Campbell was adjudged to have been pulled down from behind by Preston defender Alison Taberner.
Just as it looked as though Leeds would move through the gears and kick on to win all three points Preston registered a quick fire double to all but end Leeds chances. Firstly on 56 minutes Melissa Bell timed her run perfectly to slide in and finish at full stretch before Gemma Watson secured her second of the game with an almost carbon copy of Grocott’s earlier strike.
With Leeds pressing forward in search of goals Preston made sure of their second successive win as substitute Sophie Jones scored with almost the final kick of the match. The lively Jones elegantly chipping Binks having been released by a neat Watson through ball.
“It’s a massively disappointing result for us,” commented Leeds Manager Neil Ross after the game. “When we pulled level the second time I really thought we would kick on but to concede two quick goals so soon after was very disappointing. The players need to learn quickly and grow from this experience. The good thing is that it’s still early in the season and we have plenty of opportunities ahead to make amends. I’m confident that with the players we have we can bounce back from this setback and offer a much stronger performance next time out against Newcastle.”
You can see how all the action unfolded below in Jamie’s Live Match Feed…
That’s 5-2 I’m afraid – Jones is released on another counter attack and majestically chips the advancing Binks. She had all day there and certainly made the most of it. (89 mins)
We’re approaching 90 mins now and Preston look comfortable.
Preston should have had a fifth there – they’re sitting back and breaking quickly – this time they cross low and Chanesworth arrives only to volley straight at Binks – Lucky escape.
McIver spins in behind and wins a corner – swung in by Hugett, Brown comes and punches and Preston break. The skipper White comes over and slides in but she’s slightly late and its a freekick. it comes to nothing as leeds clear.
Long shot from Cass now but its wide. Leeds are still game but their struggling to find any space.
Leeds on the attack now as Huegett tries to feed Lawn but its just cut out by Taberner.
Another chance for preston as Watson feeds Grocott who feeds Jones – great tackle from Coates to cut out Jones’ cross.
Leeds just look to be struggling for fitness at the minute – they’re second to everything as Preston win another corner….
Swung in and Wootton gets up high to head wide.
Corner to Preston now as they break quickly – they’ve had so much success with the counter attack this half.
Swung in but Cass clears.
Ahhhh! McIver breaks through from a Lawn pass and scores but its disallowed for offside.
McIver straight in the action as she breaks free down the left and wins a corner….
Swung in but its straight at the keeper who collects no problem.
Final sub for Leeds as McIver comes on for Campbell.
Leeds still battling bravely but Preston are first to pretty much everything at the moment. Thackray tries to feed Campbell but its cleared….
Leeds break again and work it wide right, Whitham crosses, Campbell shoots first time but its spooned over.
Another shot from Jones comes in following a marauding run down the right – Binks saves again.
lovely ball from Watson results in a chance for Jones but Binks saves. Watson is dictating midfield now.
Preston knocking it round with confidence now. Leeds just look a little shell shocked at the minute.
That was a hammer blow – 2 in quick succession after equalising through that penalty. Preston have had a lot of second half success with surging midfield runs through the middle of the park.
4-2 now as Preston carve Leeds open straight up the middle again. Lovely finish from Watson (60 mins)
Leeds press forward again and win a throw down the left…
in to Coates and back to Smart – forward down the line for Kez but its over hit and out for a goal kick.
It’s end to end at the moment – Leeds break with Campbell but she’s crowded out before she can shoot and Preston clear.
3-2 Preston (56 mins) Ball slides in to poke home after a great cross from Watson. Come on Leeds – still time.
Leeds break and Campbell is pulled down from behind – penalty….
Kez steps up and its 2-2! Come on!!! (54 mins)
Leeds just struggling to get hold of the ball at the moment – Preston are working overtime to cut the space and pressure the ball carrier.
Another sub for Leeds as Coates replaces Hartley.
leeds get caught in possession at the back, laid back to Grocott but binks gets down well to save.
Smart came on for Roberts.
Leeds straight on the front foot and win a throw…
In to Kez who feeds Olivia Smart (just come on) and Leeds win a corner….
Swung in by Huegett but its cleared.
Preston break again, big gap through the middle as Grocott breaks clean through and finishes well past the advancing Binks – 2-1 Preston. (48 mins)
Preston advance down the left again but Leeds deal with it and try to feed Campbell wide right but its overhit.
Long ball releases Forshaw down the left but Cass gets across to put it behind for a corner…
Taken short then swung in but Grocott can’t reach it and its out for a goal kick.
She’s ok and up and off we go again.
Ouch – Spud (Danielle Whitham) gets a whack in the stomach after nipping in to steal the ball. That looked painful.
Here we go…
Here come the two teams now – no changes that I can spot so far.
That’s halftime – entertaining game with Preston opening the scoring on 21 with Huegett equalising on 33.
Another nice build up releases Carroll but she scews her shot wide left. Preston finishing the half well.
Oooh – let off for Leeds as a lovely ball in behind releases Grocott but her shot is pulled wide of the far post.
Random bounce releases Hutton but a great covering tackle from Cass prevents the shot. Lovely defending there.
Leeds break with Thackray – she feeds Lawn wide left who beats two and cuts it back but Thackray’s shot is blocked and out for a corner…
Swung in but its too long and its cleared.
Long shot from Forshaw but its wide – except for the Preston goal Leeds have restricted Preston chances.
Leeds looking more confident now as space starts to open up in the middle. Lee and Thackray are driving forward with Huegett dropping deep and feeding them. Looking threatening.
Hah! Colleen would have enjoyed that finish for sure!! Hello!
Great finish from Kez there as she picked out the bottom left corner from the left edge of the box. Been impressed with lawn so far in this one.
1-1!!!! Leeds break with Lawn who feeds Kez who drills it low into the back of the net. Come on!!!!
Sorry Sara!
The game’s just gone a bit flat at the moment as neither side is able to take control. Lots of stuff in the middle third but not a lot in either final third at the moment.
Nice move from Preston creates space for Walker on the egde of the box but her left foot shot is well wide.
Cheers to Sarah who states it’s ‘horrible following on the website!’ (Only joking Sarah – we wish you were here too!)
Long shot from Lee but its over.
Leeds come forward now but Preston nip in to steal it and break… but a poor ball gives Leeds back possession.
Preston are clearly buoyed by that goal and are enjoying there best spell so far. They force a corner but Binks comes out strongly to collect – good keeping.
No panic from Leeds as they continue to pass it round the back. Leeds have had the better of it but find themselves behind. Still plenty of time though.
Preston break – long shot from Watson, bounces just in front of Binks and she misses it – 1-0 Preston (21 mins). Against the run of play and conditions didn’t make it easy but Binks would feel she could have done better with that one.
Nice break from Leeds as Lee and Campbell link up. Preston get across to clear but its a throw to Leeds deep in Preston territory…
Quick throw and cross but its cleared.
You can clearly see Neil Ross’s passing philosophy imprinting on the team – we’re respecting possession and controlling the tempo as a result.
Leeds controlling the pace of this one so far and enjoyed plenty of the ball.
Quick break from Whitham down the right, the defender gets across and rolls it back to Brown, Whitham gets their first and cuts it back but the defender reacts quickest and its cleared.
Leeds have looked good so far building through midfield. It’s just breaking down in the final third so far but the signs are promising.
Nice build up from Leeds releases Whitham down the right – nice cross but its cleared.
Leeds are pressing high up the pitch with the midfield and forwards working hard – it’s causing Preston to try long balls and so far Leeds have looked comfortable defending them.
Leeds starting to get control of possession now. Thackray and Lee have linked up with Huegett a few times so far with promising results.
Leeds break with lovely ball from Thackray releasing a surging Lee, she cuts back and lays it off to Kez who shoots from the edge of the box but its spectacularly tipped over by Brown.
Corner to Leeds swung in by Kez but its cleared. Good pressure though.
Funny watching on the sidelines as Manager Neil Ross and Asst Lewis Atkinson drink their tea in unison!
Leeds playing some nice possession stuff at the back as they look to control the tempo. Early signs are that Preston are quite narrow, particularly in midfield so hopefully Whitham and Lawn could have some joy down the flanks for Leeds.
Ambitious start as Preston shoot from 40 yards but its way over and Leeds take possession.
Here we go – it’ll be Leeds to kick off playing left to right as I watch….
We’re off…
Here come the two teams with Leeds being led out by Captain Erin White. Have to be honest I’m glad I’m safely tucked up in the stand – it’s really coming down now.
Well typical for Lancashire it’s just started raining! The two teams are just getting their final instructions from the managers. Leeds are playing in all blue today with Preston in their traditional White, blue and white.
We’ve got about 20 mins to kick off now. Just before we get going I’d like to give a few quick shout outs – firstly to Gill our former Secretary who unfortunately had to work today so couldn’t make it. Secondly to our Physio Amy Turner who’s probably neck deep in her dissertation at the moment – good luck Amy. Finally to Sarah, Paul and Tor Eric, three of our biggest fans who unfortunately couldn’t make it today.
Hello and welcome to Bamber Bridge for today’s game between Preston North End and Leeds United.
Team news for Leeds today…
1. Sian Binks
2. Danielle Whitham
8. Sarah Lawn
4. Erin White (c)
5. Zoe Roberts
6. Annabelle Cass
12. Jodie Hartley
10. Olivia Thackray
18. Abbie Lee
9. Carey Huegett
15. Hannah Campbell
Subs:
13. Shannon McCarney
19. Olivia Smart
16. Abbie McIver
17. Emma Coates
7. Emma Bentley
We’ll be back just before kick off at 2pm.
Its all over here and Leeds have lost by 5 goals to 2. Bad day at the office for Leeds but we’re a young side and still have plenty of time for improvement.