League leaders lament Leeds loss

Leeds Gryphons Women’s 1sts 2-0 Durham 1sts

A deserved two nil victory saw Leeds Women’s 1st XI end Durham’s unbeaten record. Leeds entered the game facing a daunting task, Durham having previously conceded just 6 goals in an unbeaten 8-game streak.

A largely uneventful first half saw Durham take the first meaningful chance- the Durham right winger whipped in a ball from deep, and the Leeds defence had their keeper, Sara Sabbar, to thank for tipping wide a lofted header.

The boggy pitch seemed to affect the opening stages of the game as both teams struggled to maintain possession, meaning there was little platform on which attacks could be structured.

As the 1st half progressed, the Durham number 11 began to make a real nuisance of herself, and the Leeds centre back partnership of Lyall and Clapon had to allow as little space as possible due to her deft close ball control.

It became evident that the outstanding Emily Scott had identified a real weakness in the Durham left-back, and along with striker Lauren Griffiths caused havoc down the right flank all match.

It was Scott’s clever turn of pace which led to her cross-cum-shot and signifyed Leeds’ opening chance. The clear attacking abilities of Scott were neatly complemented by her midfield partner Harriet Crofts.

As Scott’s marauding runs and testing through balls kept the Durham defence busy, Harriet Crofts respected her duty to protect the back four, and her challenges and physicality managed to help keep the skilful Durham forward at bay.

Whilst the Leeds defence were solid in open play, they looked vulnerable from set pieces. Having been troubled by several corners, only a magnificent clearance off the line by Natalie Crofts kept the teams level at the break.

The second half saw the emergence of the sun, and the apparent emergence of Leeds. Having been somewhat outmuscled by Durham in the first half, Leeds took control of the game in the second period. Immediately, Scott slid through skipper Natalie Brace who was only denied by some brave keeping.

The pressure mounted on the visitors, and after Brace cut inside and shot, the rebound was slotted home by Scott yet the goal was rightly disallowed for offside.

The Leeds dominance clearly started to panic Durham, and this culminated in the awarding of a penalty after Rosie Stone was denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity following a tackle more suited to the rugby field, by the Durham centre back.

Up stepped Griffiths, who duly sent the keeper the wrong way, stroking the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

The Leeds midfield continued to dominate, and after a series of attacks, the second goal came from an excellently delivered Leeds corner which, having been flapped at by the Durham keeper, was squeezed home by Scott for a thoroughly deserved goal.

Now two nil down, Durham looked exhausted, and the Leeds defence allowed them nothing with Hannah Roset’s especially impressive at right back. The final twenty minutes saw Leeds play Durham off the pitch, dominating possession, and resulting in an excellent win, closing the gap between rivals Sheffield who currently lie second place in the Northern Conference 2B.