Adobe Women’s FA Cup First Round Proper
Leeds United Women 5 (Smith pen 21’, Sanderson 65’ 90+5’, Gibrill-Keating 79’, Dixon 89’)
FC St Helens Women 1 (Griffiths 47’)
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Millard, Legge (C), Hughes, Darcie Greene, Smith (Lee 90’), White, Graham (Sanderson 65’), Drew Greene (Williams 90’), Woodruff (Gibrill-Keating 19’, Ellis 86’), Dixon. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Waldron.
St Helens: Cassar (GK), Wood, Barker, Muirhead (C), Hussey, Miranda, Beard (Johnston 86’), Mitchell, Burnham (McKenny 65’), Mannion, Griffiths. Subs not used: Law (GK), Barlow, Lloyd, Marshall, Hill.
Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium, Garforth
Referee: Ali Rahjoo
Bookings: Hughes (Leeds) Muirfield (St Helens)
Rampant Leeds score three goals in last ten minutes against FC St Helens Women to secure 5-1 win and progression in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Kath Smith scored a penalty to have the Whites 1-0 up at the break, and a brace from Brittany Sanderson, lob from Sian Gibrill-Keating, and top-corner finish from Chloe Dixon condemned St Helens to defeat.
Simon Wood made two changes to the side that beat tier-above Hull City Ladies 2-1 last time out, bringing Abbie Graham and Smith back into the XI, taking the places of Izzy Elliott and Monique Watson
The first-round clash got off to a scrappy start, with Leeds having most of the ball but unable to find a clear-cut opportunity at goal. An early change had to be made up front before the 20th minute, as Amy Woodruff was forced off with injury and replaced by Gibrill-Keating.
The fresh substitute was straight into the action, as only moments after her introduction, Gibrill-Keating was fouled inside the penalty area, and a spot-kick was awarded.
Smith stepped up to the spot, and Leeds’ number 10 dispatched the ball into the back of the net to give the Whites the lead within 25 minutes!
Following the opener, Simon Wood’s side continued prying at the St Helens goal, forcing Nicole Cassar into some important stops, the most significant of which was a trip round the post as Graham took aim from outside the box.
The final chance of the half fell to Leeds, as Ellie White stepped up to a free kick about 30 yards out from goal. She drilled her strike through the wall towards the bottom corner but narrowly evaded the right side of the post.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 1-0 FC St Helens Women
The visitors made a perfect start to the second half, as Sophie Griffiths ran in-behind and slid the ball into the bottom corner from just inside the area to level the scores only two minutes in.
As the clock struck the 65th minute, Simon Wood looked to his bench, with Graham being replaced by Brittany Sanderson, a decision which would pay off instantly.
Sanderson immediately got on the scoresheet, rising highest to head a cross into the back of the net over a bundle of defenders!
Ten minutes later, another super-sub in Gibrill-Keating did exceptionally to get herself on the scoresheet also, as she rounded the ‘keeper and lobbed from a difficult angle, with the ball evading the defender on the line and finding the back of the net!
With five remaining, the visitors’ Captain Jessica Muirfield was shown a straight red card, before Chloe Dixon scored a fourth for Leeds. The winger raced through one-on-one and fired into the top corner emphatically to further extend the lead!
But the Whites weren't done there, as deep into stoppage time, Sanderson recorded a brace, capitalising on a loose ball in the St Helens’ six-yard box, prodding into the back of the net from close range to add another to the tally before the full time whistle was blown!
The Adobe Women’s FA Cup second round proper draw will be made on Monday evening, live on the official TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Taking place from 7pm GMT at a venue to be confirmed following the weekend’s first round ties, the draw will be presented by Flo Lloyd-Hughes and made by Mollie Kmita, Rosie Kmita and Gilly Flaherty.
We will have further details and the ball numbers ahead of the draw on Monday morning.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 5-1 FC St Helens Women
