Honours even as cup winners battle to a draw

A nervy-looking Leeds conceded first when Brooke Chaplen’s long-range cross-cum-shot from the right beat Carly Telford and nestled in the opposite corner. Leeds had much the better of the first half, but it took until the 40th minute before they got the equaliser.

That came when Everton failed to clear a shot from Olivia Thackray, the ball falling kindly to Steph Houghton, who picked her spot, beat Rachel Brown and got the reward that Leeds’s hard work deserved.

The second half saw no further goals, but with both teams pushing for the win it was Leeds who had the two best chances. Ellen White saw shots drift just wide of the post or scoop over the cross bar, while a rasping Jess Clarke shot from close range was just tipped over the bar by Brown in the 88th minute or normal time.

“It’s been a frustrating sort of game, for the fans, players and me,” said Leeds manager Rick Passmoor. “We created the chances to win it, but  a mixture of our inability to convert those chances into goals, plus some very good last-ditch defending by Everton conspired against us.

“It took us a while to settle, but when we did we were always looking to be on the front foot, and the clearances off the line that Everton had to make in the first half, plus that great save from Brown late on, they were the difference.

“Now we look forward, to our last game of this campaign at the Emirates Stadium, hopefully in front of a huge crowd and maybe a Leeds win to end the season in style.”

The draw does neither Leeds nor Everton any favours, the only consolation for Everton being that Arsenal also drew, to Blackburn. Leeds could still drop behind this season’s bogey team, Chelsea, unless they beat Arsenal next Wednesday and/or Chelsea drop points in their remaining games.

Source: www.Leedscarnegieladies.com