Friendly Match Preview: Leeds United Ladies v Huddersfield Town Ladies

Editor’s Note: This is the first of what we hope will be a reoccurring series of articles covering the Leeds United Ladies first team. Many thanks to Leeds United Ladies, Emmie Johnson, and Chris Routledge for assisting with coverage of LULFC. Go give them some support as they take on the Huddersfield Town Ladies today in Huddersfield.

Huddersfield Town Ladies vs Leeds United Ladies

The new look Leeds United Ladies start their preseason matches against Huddersfield Town Ladies, a team that are in the league above Leeds and they have also strengthened substantially in the closed season.

Leeds coach, Lewis Atkinson, has selected a large squad for the game with at least half the players being new to the club and we also welcome back some ex players who I am sure will relish the challenge of putting the club back where it belongs. Initial indications are that some of the players will be on trial, some will slot into the development team, whilst others a certainty to be first team starters.

There is a real excitement within the club and all the staff, players and supporters are expecting a massive uplift from the link with Leeds United men’s team. Leeds United have been really welcoming to the ladies, inviting them to the kit launch, facilitating their training at Thorpe Arch and the signing on day at Elland Road attracted lots of interest from all involved.

The aim this year will be to finish as high in the table as possible, it is a massive ask to get promotion in this league as only the winners go up but that promotion and of course promotion to the Woman’s Super League is the long term goal.

The first step towards this starts at Huddersfield, the squad is coming together, new players will settle in. Leeds are showing all the signs of having a strong first team and perhaps just as important strong development and junior teams providing the pathway through to the first team starting eleven.