Division One North
Alnwick Town Ladies 0
Leeds United Women 1 (Smart 48’)
Alnwick Town Ladies: Stark, Robinson, Tang, Latto, Foster, Williams, Jackson, Johnston, McConnel, Young, Stewart (Stafford 78). Sub not used: Morrison.
Leeds United Women: Wattam, Bass, Hannon (Hewson 69), Hamill (C), Smart, Hunter, Smith (Underdown 69), Danby, R Hunt, Soares-Martins (Williams 60). Sub not used: Joyce.
A goal from Olivia Smart ensured Leeds made it two wins from three at the start of the new season with a 1-0 win away at Alnwick.
The Whites, who were looking to bounce back following their defeat at Chorley last weekend, had the first chance of the game when Rebecca Hunt saw her shot saved by Kirsty Stark.
Five minutes later Jodie Hunter tried her luck from 30 yards only to see her shot flash just over the bar.
Laura Bartup then saw her shot deflected for a corner, before Georgia Wattam made a superb save to deny Catherine Johnston just after the half hour at the other end.
The action quickly moved back to attacking for Leeds, with Bartup again being denied by Stark before Hunter had the best chance of the half when she shot over from a corner, eight minutes before the interval.
Half Time: Alnwick Town Ladies 0-0 Leeds United Women
Leeds started the second period on the attack with Bartup flashing a shot just wide from a Sandra Soares-Martins cut back.
The visitors did break through when Olivia Smart’s cross deceived everyone and beat the Alnwick keeper as it flew into the back of the net.
Leeds then went for the second with Rebecca Hunt coming close and Smart saw her 25 yard effort drift just over the bar.
Bartup was the denied by a brilliant save when put clean through before Rebekah Bass saw her long range shot hit the base of the post with Bartup hitting the rebound over.
Hunt was again denied by a fine save before Bartup then fired over from a Cath Hamill cross before Kanisha-Mae Underdown fired wide from a Smart free kick.
Hunt was again denied in a flurry of chances for Dan O’Hearne’s side, and Leeds held out for an important win despite not taking them all.
Full Time: Alnwick Town Ladies 0-1 Leeds United Women
Referee: J Davison
Venue: St James’ Park, Alnwick