WEST HERTS Ladies twice took the lead but eventually had to settle for a share of the spoils as they fought out a 2-2 draw with Leighton Buzzard.

West Herts started the brighter of the two teams and dominated the first half with Jess Perry, in particular, making Leighton Buzzard work hard to clear the ball out of defence.

After creating a number of good chances, West Herts took the lead. Kirstie Tomkinson gathered the loose ball just outside the 25-yard line and drew in the last defender before slipping the ball through to Lyndsey Welch to beat the keeper.

However, the lead was short lived as Leighton Buzzard scored against the run of play after a rare break out of defence. Keeper Sian Weavers was unlucky to be beaten when the ball looped high in the air from a deflection and looked to be heading past the post, only to spin wickedly into the goal.

This setback did not appear to unsettle West Herts too much as they regained the lead shortly before half time. Following a short corner, initial shots from Rachel Perry and Sam Erabadda were blocked, but the ball eventually fell to Becky Perry who slotted home from a yard outside the left-hand post.

In the second half, Leighton Buzzard battled with renewed determination and West Herts had a lucky escape when a goal from a short corner was ruled out.

However, ten minutes later they were not so fortunate when Buzzard made no mistake in converting another short corner opportunity to claim a draw.

December 15, 2001 17:00