Khalsa come from behind to claim cup

Sporting Khalsa came from behind to beat Leek Town 3-1 and claim the Women’s Challenge Cup title after conceding inside the first-minute.

In an exciting start to the cup final tie held at Evans Park - home of Stafford Town FC - Leek took the lead inside just 50 seconds. Lily Jackson’s perfectly directed and weighted through-ball found Debbie Price who made no mistake in firing home and giving her side an early lead.

However, Leek's advantage lasted until the 19th-minute when Laura Smith headed Sporting Khalsa level. Andy Mulligan’s side had immediately looked for a response after going behind early in the game, and their relentless attacking paid off when Smith headed home with ease at close-range from a corner.

Khalsa’s Isabelle Austin-Short caused problems for Leek throughout the first-half and forced goalkeeper Beth Cottrell into several stops. The Leek shot-stopper was called into action on numerous occasions, but acted as a brick-wall for her side.

Level at the break, Khalsa began the second-period with purpose, and Lowri Walker forced Cottrell into a superb diving save to keep the score level. Leonie Joyce then rattled the bar from inside the box after the ball fell kindly at her feet, and Leek survived another early second-half scare.

But, Khalsa’s persistence paid off as Walker converted unmarked at the back-post, meeting a ball from the right-side in the 65th-minute to give her side the lead.

And, after Smith forced another fine stop from Cottrell with a long-range effort, Megan Cann secured the cup for Khalsa and completed the comeback. Again profiting from a corner - like they did for their first goal - Leek failed to clear the ball from danger and so Cann converted at the back-post on the turn.

There was a new name on the Women’s Challenge Cup for the first time since 2008 as Khalsa claimed the title through their comeback which was led by Laura Smith who was awarded the player of the match award.