Women’s Football 1sts continued their fantastic start to the season with another high scoring win. Expecting a tough 90 minutes, newly promoted LUUWAFC faced Manchester Metropolitan University Cheshire 1sts (MMU), who were sitting 2nd in the league.

 

Confidence was high going in to the game as Leeds had beaten Sheffield Hallam 1sts 9-1 the previous week. Uni started the game with plenty of possession, with fresher Kayley Oseman doing brilliantly on the right wing. It took some time, however, for Uni to find the killer ball in the final third, with the MMU back four resisting the initial pressure.

 

Sports scholar Kasia Lipka opened the scoring after 20 minutes, finding some space with some lovely footwork inside the MMU box and finishing neatly. Lipka was on the score sheet once more shortly after, heading in a fantastic cross from Oseman.

 

With a 2-0 lead half way through the first half, Uni were able to gain some composure and played some excellent football, with left winger Natalie Brace linking well with strikers Sophia Piotrowska and Canadian Tessa Miller. Piotrowska and Miller both found the back of the net before the half time whistle, leaving Uni 4-0 up before half time. Due to a delayed kick off, the referee decided a quick turnover at half time was necessary and both teams were forced to bypass the 10 minute break.

 

Leeds started the second half somewhat sluggishly, allowing MMU too much time on the ball. Five minutes in, having failed to close the opposition down quickly enough, Uni conceded. A MMU midfielder found space just outside the box, and sent a long-range shot sailing past Uni keeper Sonia Holland into the top corner. Despite this pressure, Uni were able to find some composure on the ball once more, with Lauren Griffiths and Kasia Lipka dictating play in the centre of midfield. Man-of-the-match Sophia Piotrowska had a number of chances in the second half, and eventually found the back of the net after going one-on-one with the MMU keeper.

 

Late goals from Miller and Brace finalised the scoring for the gryphons. Credit must also be given to the Uni back four who played the ball out of defence with confidence and dealt with the MMU strike force effectively.

 

This was a fantastic team performance for Uni, who will look to make it three wins out of three when they face Teesside 1sts next week. Elsewhere, there was a dramatic end to the Women’s 2nds’ match as they defeated Huddersfield 4-2 on penalties in the Conference Cup. Unfortunately the men’s teams faired less well in their fixtures.

 

The 1st XI lost 5-0 at home to Liverpool (see p. 16) and the 3rd XI were also defeated 2-0 by Lancaster (see p. 15). However, a brace from Chris Jackson and a goal each for Ruari Frew and Robin Layton saw the 2nd XI come from behind to beat Sunderland 4-2. The 4th XI also

 

Author: Rosie Stone