by Sister of fu » Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:40 pm
A litte late.......
Will update tomo on tonights game.....(CARL: Sorry no shower storys, but im sure we will all be nice and wet by about 8pm....!!)
Team: Worrall, Champ, Farrell (Capt), McManus, McLellan, Turner, Hindley, Lee, Wensley, Penney, Johnston Subs Young, Worth, Grocott, Pearse
Report: For the second home league game of the season City entertained newly promoted Leeds City Vixens.
The Vixens came into the match in good spirits after a comfortable 3 nil victory last time out over Preston. City, meanwhile, were looking to continue their impressive run of victories which stretched back 7 games and included last weeks injury time defeat of Luton.
City boss, Leigh Wood was without several key players which included influential centre back Lindsay Savage. Savage’s absence led to call ups for highly rated teenagers Abbie McManus at centre half and striker Beccy Grocott on the bench. Joining Grocott on the bench was Rachael Pearse.
City kicked off into the wind against a tall Leeds outfit who immediately began to boss the home side utilising their strength and height well. Quicker into the tackle and to pick up the second balls Leeds didn’t allow City any time and made the entire City 11 look second best. Whenever City did gain possession they tended to squander the opportunity with all outfield players culpable of making mistakes.
Leeds had threatened to score before they struck on 20 minutes as defensive hesitation allowed Leeds a throw in by the corner flag. The length of the throw caught City napping as the centre forward was allowed a free header as was her strike partner 6 yards out who made no mistake. 2 mins later Leeds scored their second as another defensive error saw the same player slide the ball home form 10 yards out to put City 2 nil down. From the kick off Leeds should have gone 3 up but City keeper, Andrea Worrall was able to tip the ball away from danger as the Leeds striker went for her third goal.
A shell shocked City attempted to regain their composure and for the next 10 mins battled hard despite not playing anything like they were capable of. This determination produced a ray of hope with 5 mins left of the half as decent work between Johnston and the hard running Penney saw the latter strike a left foot drive wide of the post.
The half ended with Leeds very happy with a good 45 and City well aware that if they were going to get anything from the game they would have to step up several gears against a physically strong and adept away team
Second started the second period at a much quicker pace and looked far better prepared after their half time instructions from Wood. 10 mins into the half Wood introduced Danni Young on the right wing for Lucy Hindley. A few mins later the same player was fouled and presented Charlotte Farrell with a free kick opportunity. From just on half way Farrell struck her second thunderbolt of the season to give the keeper no chance and her side a much needed lift.
For the next 30 mins City dominated proceedings playing fast flowing football pushing the Leeds defence back. With Sarah Penney at the forefront of most of City’s attacking moves the home side looked like they would score sooner rather than later. This dually happened as an excellent Elle Turner through ball found Krystle Johnston on the edge of the box. Johnston ran onto the pass and finished expertly for her second goal of the season.
With the pace picking up even more there seemed only one winner as chances came and went for Farrell, Johnston, Wensley on two occasions, Penney and another free kick effort from skipper Farrell. On 80 mins Grocott was given her debut for the limping Johnston, and on 90 mins Pearse replaced the impressive McManus..
With normal time running out the game went into 5 mins injury time. City continued to push for the winner but Leeds had other ideas as on 94 mins a good through ball split the City defence and saw the striker touch the ball past Worrall for Leeds only chance of the half. The whistle sounded seconds later with the visitors elated with a hard fought victory
City can reflect on their first defeat of the season which saw too many players off their game in a very mediocre home side performance in the first half. The second period saw much more like the standard expected by Wood and indeed the game should have been dead and buried long before Leeds nicked their third. That said credit to the visitors who never gave in and played their part in an entertaining game.
Wood commented, ‘’ a disappointing result today. We didn’t turn up in the 1st half and dually got punished. It was probably our worst performance for some time. However, the players listened at half time and came out fighting, playing some great football in the 2nd half and got back onto level terms. Credit to Leeds though as they never gave in. A harsh lesson to learn for our players as no matter who the opposition, you simply can’t play how we did in the 1st half and expect to win games. We now look to bounce back against Curzon on Thursday night. Well done Ladies in the 2nd half, great character shown’’.
Scorers: Farrell, Johnston
TeamRef: 1stTeam
Season: 2008-09
