Ladies 6 Leeds Utd Devs 0

A first half hattrick from Sophie Tinson, as well as a brace from Hollie Smith and a debut goal from summer signing Beth Davies confirmed an impressive win for Harrogate Town Ladies as they kicked of their preseason campaign at The CNG stadium.

In the absence of Jon Maloney, Ben Sadler and Martin Powell named two XI’s for each half of the fixture, with new signings Davies and Rosie Gill claiming a starting place for the first 45 minutes.

Town were straight out of the traps and managed to break the deadlock just four minutes into the game.

Sophie Tinson snatched the ball off a Leeds defender and charged down on the goal before slotting home to open the afternoons scoring.

Leeds struggled to get a grasp on the game and didn’t really test Kelly Jackson-Powell in the first half, with the Town keeper only making a few textbook saves in the opening exchanges.

In the 27^th minute, new signing Davies doubled the lead and opened her account in the yellow and black of Town.

In a similar fashion to the first goal, Davies broke through the Leeds defence and drilled and effort to the far corner past the goalkeeper; definitely a debut to remember.

Just before the break Town grabbed two goals in two minutes as Tinson curled in a lovely effort from the right-hand side of the box, then nearly immediately after the kick-off was yet again in the box and this time found the back of the net with a cool finish.

Despite the changes at half time, Harrogate picked up where they left off with Smith showcasing yet again another cool finish in the 47^th minute as Town picked up there fifth goal of the afternoon.

Despite the goal fest of the first half and the opening of the second half, the game fizzled out as the second half went on and Leeds still struggled to get a foothold in the game with Town really controlling things and spending the majority of the game in the opposition half.

The goal scoring for Town wasn’t over just yet though as Emily Topham had two efforts cleared off the line in the 58^th minute.

But it would be Hollie Smith again who would pick up the sixth and final goal of the afternoon, confirming an emphatic win for the start of the preseason campaign.

First Half: Kelly Jackson Powell, Georgia Marsden, Racheal McDonald, Aliesha James, Becky Wilson, Rosie Gill, Beth Davies, Beth Bancroft, Em Crispin, Sophie Tinson, Beckie Kendell

Second Half: Vicky Naylor, Gracie Ridley, Lindesy Whitton, Georgia Ryan, Becky Davies, Kirsty Macgregor, Beth Clayton, Grace Foyer, Hollie Smith, Emily Topham, Sophie Tinson 

Goals: Tinson 4, 41, 42 Davies 27, Smith 47, 87
 
Report by Isaac Martin