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2000
Leeds United vs. Aston Villa
	
	

	
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	Leeds United Ladies promotion challenge took a dint on Sunday when they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa at Bracken Edge.

United dominated much of the early play, and should have scored when Lucy Ward had the keeper beaten but her goal bound header was adjudged to have been cleared before it went over the line. United continued to create chances, but it was Villa who took the lead after United's Julie Grundy's wayward cross was cut out by the Villa defence and they hit Leeds quickly on the counter attack, leaving defender Paula Wingate struggling for pace against the speedy Villa forward who curled the ball around the advancing Charlotte Philp in the United goal.

Despite a lot of possession, United struggled to breakdown a resilient Villa defence, with some wayward passing in the attacking third. United's persistence looked to have paid off in the 40 minute when United were awarded a penalty for handball. However, United's bad luck in front of goal continued with Lucy Ward blasting the spot kick right at the keeper.

As the game wore on United looked to be running out of ideas and became frustrated. Things went from bad to worse in the 68th minute when Villa scored again, with Leeds pushed well up the pitch.

As Villa tired and Leeds made changes, United stared to create more opportunities, Lucy Wards persistence bringing United back into it when she headed home in the 80th minute. The final ten minutes were all Leeds, but Villa held on to take all three points.

'We are really disappointed with the performance and the result, but all the credit must go to Villa, they came and defended very well and caught us twice with two great instances of counter attack''. said a disappointed Leeds manager Mark Hodgson after the game. 'Its very tight at the top, but perhaps that defeat might just give us the jolt we need, there is still a lot of football to be played'
	
	
	
		
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