'Proud as punch'

Everton 1-3 Leeds Carnegie
The Final
The FA Tesco Women’s Premier League Cup
7pm, Thursday 11 February 2010
Spotland Stadium, Rochdale AFC
Live on FATV

After leading his team to their first domestic Cup, Leeds Carnegie manager, Rick Passmoor could not contain his delight at the final whistle.

A brace from Ellen White and a long-range drive from Katie Holtham helped Leeds beat Everton 3-1 in The Final of The FA Tesco Women’s Premier League Cup at Spotland Stadium and Passmoor was full of praise for his team’s achievement.

“I’m as proud as punch,” he said. “We had a five-year programme and we’re here inside three. They’ve given me 100 per cent in every game and every training session and now it has paid off. We’ve won The Cup, we’ve played very, very well and this is the icing on the cake today.

“I think we deserved it. Everton put us under pressure in the second half but I thought we coped with it well. We are absolutely delighted.”

The second half kicked off with Leeds protecting a two-goal cushion and Fara Williams’ 49th minute goal hauled Everton back into the game, though they might have found themselves even further behind had Leeds converted just one of their many first-half opportunities.

The Toffees grew into the game after a disappointing first 45, but Leeds were able to keep them at bay until White raced away to seal the victory.

“Ellen White has been fantastic for us all season and I thought she took her second goal very well,” said Passmoor. “And talking of goals, I thought Katie Holtham’s goal was a great strike.

“We were excellent in the first half. I thought we shot ourselves in the foot early in the second half but we showed a lot of grit and determination after that. We were not at our most skilful in the second half, however to come through the 90 minutes was fantastic.

“We’ve got a fine set of players here. After conceding a bit of a silly goal, we showed a lot of heart and character and it was thoroughly deserved."

Everton
1 Rachel Brown, 2 Emily Westwood, 3 Rachel Unitt, 4 Fara Williams (C), 5 Fern Whelan, 6 Lindsay Johnson, 7 Jody Handley, 8 Jill Scott, 9 Natasha Dowie, 10 Michelle Hinnigan (17 Gwen Harries, 77), 11 Toni Duggan
Substitutes not used 12 Becky Easton, 14 Michelle Evans, 15 Alex Culvin, 16 Brooke Chaplen

Manager Mo Marley

Leeds Carnegie
1 Carly Telford, 2 Sophie Bradley (C), 4 Sophie Walton, 6 Katie Holtham, 8 Sue Smith (3 Olivia Thackray, 87), 9 Ellen White, 10 Jess Clarke (17 Remi Allen, 71), 11 Carla Cantrell, 19 Mel Sutcliffe, 14 Jade Moore, 20 Laura Bassett
Substitutes not used 15 Gemma Bonner, 16 Nat Straneff, 18 Rachel Daly,

Manager Rick Passmoor

Match Officials
Referee Sian Massey
Assistant Referees Rob Goodwin-Davey & Sarah Hollins
Fourth Official Sarah Garratt

Attendance 2,842