LEEDS, Jan 29 (SW) – Leeds United Ladies created a cup upset as they knocked out last seasons finalists Everton in a hard fought encounter in which veteran Karen Walker scored a hat-trick.

Leeds had some injury doubts after last weeks league match with Arsenal but they made a lively start dispite the heavy conditions at their Marston Stadium ground. Indeed the match was quite end to end with Everton's Michelle Evans causing trouble on the Leeds left. While, Jess Clark an U19 England international was creating problems on Everton's left which full England squad member Rachel Unitt was struggling to solve.
Indeed slack defending by Unitt almost let the nippy mid-fielder through on goal but Unitt retrieved the situation by up ending this young pretender. Then that other Rachel, Rachel Brown saved well from the resulting free kick. Jess Clark kept working of course and on the 28th minute she produced a powerful run down the left to whip in a high cross to the back post for Karen Walker to nod home.

A case of youth and experience. Karen Walker an England veteran of 89 caps and 44 goals added another one to six goals so far this season; and there was more to come. Meanwhile, Rachel Unitt was trying hard to make amends for her shaky start. A long pass into the area form Jodie Handley bobbled about in the box before Unitt pounced forcing the ball against Scotland International Keeper Gemma Fay. She even had another crack at the rebound but Fay smothered this second attempt. Michelle Evans then had a chance as she was sent through on goal but she lifted her shot over the bar.

In the second half Everton had more urgency Michelle Evans had a header cleared off the line and Kelly McDougal's follow up went wide. Then Jodie Handley brought out another good save as she tried to lift the ball over an advancing Gemma Fay. Then Unitt got on the end of a Handley cross but that too got cleared. Of course with Everton pushing forward this was going to leave spaces at the back and a quick through ball found Karen Walker who managed to prod the ball past the advancing Brown and dispite calls of off-side from the Everton bench the goal stood. Everton kept pushing forward but as the final ball broke down Leeds were ready with the counter. On 81 minutes Jess Clark took a ball on the edge of the Everton area flicking it over her head she rounded the defender before taking it down the left. The move broke down down the ball going for a corner. But from the resulting corner kick Karen struck again sending her header over Rachel Brown and into the net. There wasn't any way back for Everton now but they continued to push forward and at least four minutes into injury time a high ball into a packed Leeds penalty area got nodded into the Leeds goal. No one was sure who got the final touch not even Everton officials could say but the goal was finally credited to Amy McCann.

So last years finalists are out in other results Arsenal beat Aston Villa 3-0 and Charlton Athletic went through aganist Fulham by a similar scoreline. But for Karen Walker could she round off her playing career with a Cup final appearance, we'll see.
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Leeds Uts - Everton 3-1 (1-0)

Referee: Brian Freedman, Attendance: 230

Goals: 22. Karen Walker 1-0, 53 Karen Walker 2-0. 82 Karen Walker 3-0, 90 Amy McCann 3-1 .