17th March 2013
Yeovil Town Ladies crashed out of the FA Women’s Cup at the hands of Leeds United at Farsley’s Throstle Nest ground in Yorkshire.
In a reverse fixture of the League Cup tie at Huish Park, the Glovers were on the wrong side of a 4-0 score line which probably flattered the home side.
Goals from Hayley Sharp, Emma Lipman and a brace from Carey Huegett separated the sides in a game which saw Yeovil match their hosts for large parts of the game.
The home side started the game much the better side, Yeovil’s inability to get into the game was soon punished; only six minutes were on the clock when a Leeds free kick was deflected in by Huegett who beat the on rushing Beth Howard in the Yeovil goal to the ball.
1-0   soon became 2-0, another free kick this time from the right wasn’t dealt with and United right back Emma Lipman managed to turn and shoot to double the advantage.
With a quarter of the game gone, Yeovil were getting into the game Laura Bray and Justine Lorton were combining well and the first chance of the game fell to Jade Radburn who saw her looping header kept out by the Leeds keeper.
A good spell of possession from the Glovers saw the confidence rise, Rosie Williams saw a 40-yard thunderbolt blocked and Lorton had a chance cleared away for a corner within a few minutes of another.
Leeds, however remained a danger on the break, Danielle Sheen on the right wing was causing problems, on a number of occasions she created chances through her pace and trickery.
Before the half time interval, Yeovil would have wanted a goal to start the comeback, it wasn’t to be as Katie Cook spurned a glorious chance from 10 yards out, if she hadn’t have been stretching she may have been able to keep the ball down.
Half Time: Leeds 2 – 0 Yeovil.
The Glovers started the second period as they had ended the first, pressure from Bray and Lorton again the main catalyst, with Cook getting in on the act too.
Bray’s 49th minute shot was just not powerful enough to trouble Jules Draycott in goal while Cook was keeping the Leeds right flank quiet and creating opportunities herself.
With just over an hour gone, Yeovil had their best chance of the game, more good work from Radburn and Cook saw a ball drop kindly for Bray who decided against a first time shot in favour of controlling the ball but the chance was soon blocked away by the Leeds ‘keeper.
It was all Yeovil still and a goal could have sparked a comeback, but against the run of play Leeds extended the lead.
The home side were awarded a penalty on 68 minutes and the impressive Huegett made no mistake from the resulting spot kick.
The third goal had knocked the wind out of Yeovil and a fourth goal wasn’t far behind. Hayley Sharp was quickest to react to a loose ball 15 yards out and thrashed it home.
With the result all but confirmed, Yeovil regained the momentum of play shortly after. Grace Rapp came on for Lorton who had done much of the hard work running the front line.
Rapp fitted into the front line with ease and helped to set up Cook for a tame effort and Laura Bray for a chance that she’ll be disappointed not to convert.
The ball fell nicely to the striker from no more than a yard out, whilst the angle may have been against her, the ball flew wide when it looked easier to score.
As time ticked away, the Yeovil players continued to dig in and create chances, Bray saw two crosses fall to opposition players and Williams tried another long range effort which came to nothing.
Leeds could have made it five in stoppage time, but when a 4-0 score line looked harsh on the visitors, five would have been totally unfair.
The full time whistle went with the home side progressing to the quarter finals of the FA Cup, whilst Yeovil will wonder how the margin of defeat was quite so wide.
Joint Manager Nigel Williams tweeted of his pride at the Yeovil Town squad for their performance on the day and in the competition on the whole.
Full Time: Leeds 4 – 0 Yeovil Town.
Team
Beth Howard
Emma Brazell – Rachel Edwards – Rosie Williams – Mich Keehan
Stacey Pearson – Jade Radburn – Kirsty Whitton – Katie Cook
Justine Lorton (Grace Rapp) – Laura Bray
Yeovil Town player of the day – Katie Cook.
Attendance 125