Julie Chipchase Trophy
Leeds United Women 2 (Dixon 6’, Hughes 24)
Doncaster Rovers Belles 2 (Findlay 37’, Trialist 61’)
Leeds win 5-4 on penalties
Leeds: Simpson (GK) (Oates (GK) 46’), Millard (Trialist D 46’), Legge (C), Trialist A (Elliott 76’), Darcie Greene (Waldron 84’), Hughes, Trialist B (Trialist C 46’), Williams (White 46’), Drew Greene (Ellis 76’), Gibrill-Keating (Sanderson 71’), Dixon (Graham 84’).
Referee: Jodie Hunter
Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium
Leeds United Women retained the Julie Chipchase Trophy after beating Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers Belles on penalties at the Bannister Prentice Stadium.
Despite first half goals from Chloe Dixon and Alice Hughes, the scores were level at the full-time whistle, before Izzy Elliott scored the decisive spot kick to crown the Whites champions!
The Trophy celebrates the life of a true pioneer of women’s football, with Chippy leading the Whites to their first ever Women’s FA Cup Final, after stints as both a player and manager with the Belles.
The teams were proudly led out onto the pitch at Garforth by young supporter Ella Lynch. A member of the Leeds United Girls Shadow Squad, the nine-year-old is currently bravely fighting a very rare form of liver cancer and emerged ahead of the squads with a beaming smile on her face.
Keen to make the evening a memorable occasion, the Whites started on the front foot with new signing Dixon testing Ellie Sharpe early on, forcing the Belles keeper into an impressive save.
The mounting pressure finally told and it was Dixon who found the back of the net from close range. Drew Greene had done superbly to dispossess a yellow shirt deep into opposition territory, before crossing to the back post for the forward to fire home.
Further opportunities came with Sian Gibrill-Keating in particular threatening as she led the line for Simon Wood’s side, brilliantly volleying Alayna Millard’s cross into the bottom corner only to be denied by the assistant’s flag for an alleged offside.
The second would arrive courtesy of midfielder Hughes, rising highest at the back post to meet the lively Dixon’s swirling corner kick just yards from goal.
The visitors halved the deficit before half-time whistle sounded through Holly Findlay, with the Whites taking a slender advantage into the break.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 2-1 Doncaster Rovers Belles
A flurry of activity brought Ellie White and Charlotte Oates into the action as the second half began in pouring rain in Garforth.
Leeds started how they had begun the opening 45 minutes, pressing high up the field and looking to use pace on the break to cause the Belles issues.
Though, through a mix of stubborn Doncaster defending and torrential conditions, the third goal eluded Wood’s side before the visitors levelled just after the hour mark.
Keen to wrestle back momentum, United went close through Dixon. The former Nottingham Forest player’s drilled low effort arrowed towards the bottom corner, only to be parried away superbly by Sharpe.
Further chances came and went with the Whites unable to restore their lead, taking the tie to a penalty shootout.
Level after the first five efforts from both teams, a miss from the visitors offered Izzy Elliott the chance to win the tie… The defender duly obliged, firing into the top corner to retain the Julie Chipchase Trophy!
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 2-2 Doncaster Rovers Belles (Leeds win 5-4 on penalties)
Supporters can donate to Ella’s fundraising page HERE.
