Ladies are Powerleague Tournament Champions 2012
Guiseley AFC Ladies were crowned the Lucozade Powerleague Tournament Champions last night, after beating Castleford White Rose in the final 1-0. The ladies played in the tournament hosted at Powerleague Leeds North, which had a champions league format comprising of two leagues. All group fixtures and finals were played on the same evening, and FA affiliated clubs from across West Yorkshire took part.
Guiseley entered two teams X and Y, which were drawn in the same league, and therefore had to play each other once. Other teams in the league were Castleford White rose, who are currently in The Womens North East Premier League, the same league as the ladies. The league also comprised of West Leeds Ladies FC, Wigton Girls FC/Leeds City Vixens and Wigton Moor Ladies FC. The Guiseley ‘X’ team won three of their games, drew one and lost one which resulted in them finishing third in the table with ten points and missing out on a semi-final spot through goal difference. Guiseley ‘Y’ team had better luck in the group stage. Their first fixture against West Leeds finished in a 1-0 win to the ladies which gave them three points in the league. They also beat West Leeds 3-0, but lost to White rose 1-0 which was a disappointing result as the ladies dominated the game. When both Guiseley sides faced each other, it was a tough, nervy encounter, as neither side wanted to concede. Guiseley ‘Y’ goal-keeper Erin Boswell made an excellent save just before full-time to keep the score at 0-0. Both sides took the point and Guiseley ‘Y’ went into their final game against Wigton Moor Ladies needing a win to proceed to the semi finals. Again a very close game, Guiseley got a winner though through Julie Richardson two minutes from time. This gave the ladies a 2-1 victory which sent them through to the semi finals finishing second in the league, behind Castleford White Rose Ladies FC.
The semi finals saw the Guiseley ‘Y’ team face Kirklees Ladies FC, and Castleford White Rose face Wortley Ladies FC. Goals from Guiseleys’ Katie Matthews and Lindsey Hopton gave the ladies a 2-1 win and meant that they were to face league rivals Castleford White Rose in the tournament final.
As ever, when these two sides face each other it is a physical contest. Neither side wanted to concede a goal and both teams worked hard defensively to block every shot at goal. The conditions were poor, the rain had meant the 3G surface was now very wet and difficult for goal-keepers. A speculative shot from Guiseleys’ Jenny Taylor 15 yards out was fumbled by White Roses’ unlucky ‘keeper. The ball slipped underneath her body into the goal. Guiseley were under pressure for the rest of the match, as White Rose threw everything they had at them. The ladies were strong though. They held on to the lead to take the tournament champions crown and receive the Lucozade Powerleague Winners 2012 trophy.
Many thanks to Powerleague Leeds North at Seacroft for organising the event.
