A Hat Trick Against Leeds Uni

We met on the pitch side with another full team. This is awesome commitment guys!

We knew we were above Leeds Uni in the league, but students have a reputation of being fast, fit and, usually, slightly hungover. We’ve been known a few times to go down to a uni team in the last 10 minutes as we tire. We were confident going into the game however that we could come away from this with the points.

We started strong, it took some time to get used to not having Fretters commanding the midfield, but once everyone had worked out where to stand in her absence we started to make some promising attacks. Kim was on fire right from the start and she was breaking through and we were getting chances straight away.

Leeds had some strength in midfield that we were struggling to cover due to how much they swapped around, this meant they got in some great counter attacks too. This kept everyone on their toes.

We eventually captialised on an attack when Kim broke through and scored the first GOAL of the match. 1-0 to Batley.

Leeds were straight back on the attack and were taking advantage of the usual space in midfield. We conceded a short corner and Leeds managed to score a goal off one of their players shoulders. This was allowed as neither umpire saw it, so 1-1.

Not losing heart, we went straight back at Leeds, passing and moving well through the midfield and to the forward line. Subs kept the legs fresh on the pitch and it wasn’t long until Kim broke through again, 1-2 to Batley!

At half time, we were happy with the score line, but we knew we were making things difficult for ourselves, going for the difficult ball and not moving enough on hit outs.

We went back on determined to make more of this match. We’d found some weaknesses in Leeds now and we were marking the attacking players in midfield. They were sometimes still breaking through though and another conceded short corner was cleared off the line by Hayley only to be awarded a flick!!

Tension built on the pitch at the Leeds player lined up in front of Helen. Both teams were willing their player to be the victor. The Leeds player went low and to Helen’s left, but she was there and the ball was cleared off the line! Helen saves the day again!

Buoyed by Helen’s success we pushed forward and made break after break. It was Sophie, playing for the first time this season, who made the most of a chance in front of goal for our third GOAL of the game 3-1 to Batley!

Kim broke through the Leeds defence for a third time and scored the 4th GOAL for Batley 4-1 and Kim was on a hat trick.

Just as we thought the game was over, we found ourselves fending of a short corner that we replayed several times, our defence dealt with each one brilliantly though and the scoreline remained.

In the dying moments of the game Janna was able to get her name on the scoresheet, capitalising on a cross from the right 5-1 to Batley!

MOM went to Kim, almost unanimously, for her awesome attacking work.

Next week: Cleckheaton away - at home at 10am! So don’t sleep in!!

#matchreport #batley #batleyladieshc #hattrick #penalty