Nethermoor draws a massive crowd for women's cup game

IT was like going back ten years when the Women's FA Cup semi-final was staged at Guiseley AFC's Nethermoor Park ground on Sunday.

A crowd of around 1200 people packed into the ground and gave great vocal support to the Leeds United Ladies side as they powered into the final courtesy of two excellent goals from England international Sue Smith.

Leeds United star Simon Walton was among the crowd who packed into the UniBond League club's ground. His sister Sophie was playing for the Leeds side.

Guiseley officials were delighted to see their ground packed with people and the atmosphere was superb. FA officials expressed their delight at the numbers Guiseley had managed to attract to the semi-final as last year's game at Southport drew only 400 people.

Guiseley had worked hard on publicity and they were rewarded when the crowd flocked in and what a treat they got.

The women played their football with an obvious delight and enthusiasm and the atmosphere was superb.

Leeds, overwhelming favourites to seal a passage through to the final, scored a goal in each half in front of a vocal crowd.

Leeds, missing captain Nat Preston through injury, were led by the influential Karen Burke who set up both goals for Smith.

Premier League side Leeds were unlucky not to have taken the lead within the first ten minutes. Liverpool goalkeeper Nicky Davies had to be at her best to keep out a shot from Nicole Emmanuel, tipping it onto the bar.

Kaz Walker, looking for her 12th semi final victory, was inches away from giving Leeds the lead from a Burke corner with a header.

Liverpool put pressure on the Leeds defence with top scorer Jade Thomas showing a good touch and eye for a pass but it was Leeds who took the lead in the 23rd minute when Smith ghosted past a defender and beat the 'keeper at the near post with a fierce left foot shot.

Leeds were dominating and could have doubled their lead after strong runs by Jess Clarke and Smith set up Burke and Emmanuel who failed to finish. Leeds did have a scare just before the half-time whistle when Liverpool captain and former Leeds player Gayle Formston headed on top of the net from a corner.

Leeds dominated the early exchanges of the second-half with Smith twice being played in by the tireless Burke and forcing Davies to save.

Walker was then unlucky with an audacious flick from Burke's header which went narrowly wide of the far post.

Smith scored her second on the hour after excellent one touch passing set her up. Burke and Walker created the pass for Smith who skilfully went past the defender and slotted past the advancing Davies.

The Merseysiders changed their formation to try and get a goal back, bringing on Danielle Sheen to partner Thomas and Foster.

With Liverpool short at the back Leeds had a great chance to further add to their lead. Smith couldn't connect with Burke's free-kick for her hat-trick while Walker just didn't have the pace to get past the last defender.

Emmanuel was unlucky again after a superb 30 yard shot went over the bar.

United will meet Arsenal in the final at Millwall's New Den on May 1.

A delighted Leeds manager Julie Chipchase said: " I am so pleased for everyone at the club, we deserve to be in the final, the girls have been so focused and determined nothing was going to get in their way of getting to the final.

"Liverpool worked hard and didnt give up but we had a lot of chances and it could have been a bigger score line. The FA Cup final is such an occasion and it means so much to the club. For players like Sophie Walton, Natalie Haigh and Jess Clarke who are 16 and 17 years-old and in their first season out of junior football, it is a dream come true, then we have some of the older players who have been playing football for a long time who have never got there before."

She added: "Sue Smith was outstanding today, her goals were so well finished. Sue has commentated on the FA Cup final for the last few years and watched with envy from the studio so it means so much to her to be able to get the chance of playing in the FA Cup final. I am so pleased for her she deserved her goals, her performance was quality.

"We have six weeks to prepare and two important league games to play in between, we are not going down there to make up the numbers though, Arsenal are a team full of internationals and have won everything in the game and we know we will have to be at our best. I want us to go down there and bring the cup back to Leeds."

The Leeds United team was: Gemma Fay; Mel Cook, Karen Burke, Lucy Ward, Alex Culvin; Nat Haigh, Sophie Walton, Nicole Emmanuel, Sue Smith; Karen Walker, Jess Clarke. Subs. Sarah Owen, Julie Grundy, Jade O'Connor, Sophie Clough, Tania Panesar.

Leeds United Ladies are looking at running supporters buses down to the final, e-mail leedsunitedladies@hotmail.co.uk for details.

Guiseley AFC Chairman Phil Rogerson was full of praise for his volunteer workers at the club. He said: "A great deal of hard work went into the organisation of the FA Women's Cup semi-final tie. I was personally very proud of the club and its members and volunteers who worked so hard to make this very prestigious occasion one that was a credit to Guiseley Football Club.

"I know we impressed our visitors and made a lot of friends with the Football Association at both local and national level that will help us a great deal in the future. So thanks again to everyone involved."

The game was scheduled for the previous Sunday but a severe snowstorm put paid to play on that day.

With poor weather over the past couple of weeks volunteer groundstaff at the Guiseley club had to work very hard to get the pitch in good condition.

A large army of volunteer workers from within the club took on tasks including catering, stewarding and first aid as well as laying out areas for VIPS and disabled supporters.

The use of car parks belonging to local firms was kindly agreed to with the former Crompton Parkinson car park on Netherfield Road coming back into use for the big match.

It was all rather reminiscent of the early 90s when Guiseley went on their successful FA Vase runs. The club hope that some of those attracted to Sunday's game will return to Nethermoor to watch some of the Guiseley club's own teams in action. Their games start tonight , Thursday, as they bid to keep a hold on the West Riding County FA Cup.

They face Conference North side Harrogate Town in the semi-finals at Nethermoor kicking-off at 7.45pm.

Then on Saturday they have a home game in the UniBond Premier Division against Matlock Town which kicks-off at 3 pm.

Sunday afternoon will see the club staging a West Riding County Minor Cup game as the Wharfedale FA under-17 team take on Heavy Woollen U-17s in a match which Wharfedale must win if they are to reach the knockout semi-final stage of the competition. Guiseley AFC provide the bulk of the players in the Wharfedale squad for a game which kicks-off at 2 pm.