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04
Apr
Knaresborough Town women’s final dreams quashed by impressive Leeds
Knaresborough Town AFC women’s County Cup journey ended last night with a 4-0 defeat against Leeds United in the semi-final.
The Boro travelled away to the Bannister Prentice Stadium in Garforth to face an in-form Leeds side. The Whites had won four of their last five games in all competitions and currently sit fifth in the FA Women’s National League Division One North.
The National League is the level at which teams can become semi-professional and is three tiers above Knaresborough Town’s league, which is in tier 7.
Tier 1 to 7 of the women's football pyramid. Photo: The FA
Despite the odds, Boro put in a strong performance in the first half to match Leeds.
Knaresborough initially set up with a three-at-the-back formation, as manager Michael Bligh set out to be positive and provide more attacking outlets.
For a while, the plan looked like it was working. Knaresborough held their own throughout the first half and, although Leeds had more of the chances, hitting the post early on, they pressed and attacked Leeds with little fear.
With a few minutes left of the first half though, Leeds broke the deadlock. A defence-splitting pass from Leeds’ Ellie Dobson found Jessica Rousseau on the left-hand side. The number 9 cut inside and slotted it past the oncoming Maria Chatzistamou.
The Leeds team talk must have been effective, because they added a second goal 40 seconds after the restart. Again, Rousseau found the ball on the edge of the box, drilling a low shot across goal into the bottom left corner.
As the second half went on, Leeds showed their quality more and more. Relentless defending took its toll on the Knaresborough side, with a few players going down with cramp.
The Manse Lane side were also hit with a few injury blows as Sarah Parkes and Bethany Padget both had to be substituted.
With around 20 minutes to go, Rousseau found herself free again, with her and Chatzistamou chasing down a bouncing ball inside the penalty area. The Leeds striker got there first, and Knaresborough’s keeper collided with her inside the box.
A penalty was awarded, which the number 9 calmly dispatched for her hattrick.
With less than a minute to go, an unfortunate spill from Chatzistamou gave Leeds’ Ellie White the opportunity for a simple finish into an empty net.
'Determination, grit and application'
At full time, Michael Bligh told the Stray Ferret what he made of the performance:
First and foremost, congratulations to Leeds United.
I thought the performance of our team was just determination, grit and application. We were looking to try to play for the percentages a bit more because Leeds had a bit more quality.
They got the ball down and were able to manipulate us a little bit more. 4-0 is about right to be fair, if we’re being honest.
We did OK in the first half I thought. At half time we decided to keep the same plan and wanted to start well, and within 40 seconds we’d conceded. So the game plan went out of the window a little bit and we had to change back to a 4-3-3.
Bligh said he was sure the players’ heads would not drop though, and that they were the ones leading the team huddle at the end. He said that they were “well aware that there is still plenty to play for this season”.
The Manse Lane side still have promotion to play for in the league, in which they sit in second place, and have another semi-final at the weekend against Wyke Wanderers in the League Cup.
The manager said that Padget was just a little concussed, and that she would be OK to play on Sunday. Parkes rolled her ankle near the end of the game and had to be substituted. Bligh said that the club would have to assess her over the next few days to see whether she will be fit to play.
Leeds United will find out their County Cup final opponents when Harrogate Town women play Halifax FC on Sunday April 20. The match will kick off at 2pm.
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