At Harrogate Town today a good crowd numbering well over 150 witnessed Leeds United Ladies final warm up game, it was a warm afternoon that was sure to test the fitness of both teams.
Leeds United Ladies #mot #club# family #pride pic.twitter.com/zNlZs33E7o
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) August 13, 2017
The highlight of the afternoon however came even before a ball was kicked with the arrival of Andrea Radrizzani, the man who has recently been instrumental in bringing the ladies team back into the Leeds United family. Andrea stopped for photos, to wish the team well as well as watching the majority of the first half before having to leave.
Leeds started the game well getting forward in the early stages striking the bar with a shot from range within the first five minutes; they pressed most of the half and looked good in possession without creating too many chances, but they did open the scoring after a defensive error from Harrogate was pounced on by new signing Liuli Dyson who picked up the ball on the edge of the area and slid it past the keeper. The lead didn’t last long though as within a minute Harrogate were level from a corner. Leeds pressed again and the match was now opening up as players tired giving Arianne Parnham who had been the instigator of many attacks the edge on the Harrogate defence who drove past and struck the ball into the net that was how the first half ended.
Second half was very much of the same, Leeds introduced subs and they continued to pass the ball about but the hard working Harrogate defence broke up the Leeds attack and Leeds had to wait until past hour mark before Arianne scored her second and Leeds third after being fed in on goal by another new signing Rebecca Furey. The game did turn a bit scrappy and both sides struggled to get much possession, but just as we all thought the goals had ended Harrogate won a free kick 25 yards out that was put away in the top corner to make the final score Leeds 3 Harrogate 2.
Full time score at Harrogate and Leeds run out 3-2 winners. Huge thanks to @andrearadri for coming along. #ALAW #LUFCladies
— Leeds United Ladies (@LeedsUtdLadies) August 13, 2017
All in all it was a good run out, Leeds had chances and hit the woodwork 4 times in addition to the 3 goals scored so will hope to take the winning trend into the first league match of the season next week away to Bolton.