FAWNL Division One North
Barnsley Women 2 (Jexoldfield 4’, Pierrepont 29’)
Leeds United Women 3 (Dobby 47’, Ramsden 54’, Hannon 86’)
Barnsley: Clarke (GK), Myles (c) (Roe 78') Foye, Wodhams, Ryalls (Ashton 61'), Pierrepont, Watson, Shaw, Jexoldfield, Miller, Csomor. Subs not used: Gough, Lloyd, Lee.
Leeds: Joyce (GK), Bass, Hannon, Hamill (c), Robson, Dobby, Danby (Underdown 80'), Smith (Nolan 71'), Soares-Martins (Williams 58'), Ramsden, Bartup. Subs not used: Wattam, Hunt.
Venue: Wombwell Recreation Ground
Referee: M Cairns
Leeds United Women staged a remarkable comeback to overturn a two-goal half time deficit, to win this Yorkshire derby thanks to a late Bridie Hannon free-kick to complete the turnaround and secure all three points.
After announcing the new signings of Katie Ramsden and Sarah Dobby earlier in the day, Dan O’Hearne’s side were looking to get their league season back on track in South Yorkshire.
However, it was the hosts who took the lead after just four minutes when Ruby Jexoldfield fired in from 20 yards, picking her spot and putting her side an early goal ahead.
The Whites looked to respond with Rebekah Bass volleying wide and Sandra Soares-Martins heading over after a great cross from debutant, Ramsden.
Laura Bartup then saw her free kick tipped just wide, before Emily Pierrepont made it two from a narrow angle, racing into the box and finishing well to put Barnsley two goals up.
Ramsden almost pulled one back straight from kick-off, firing just wide, and Bridie Hannon headed over as the Reds went in at the break with two goal advantage despite a number of chances for Leeds.
Half Time: Barnsley Women 2-0 Leeds United Women
The Whites knew they needed a quick start after the break, if they were to turn the game around in the second half.
They did just that and got one back when Dobby headed in her first goal since re-signing for the club, powering the ball home from a corner, igniting the spark that O’Hearne’s side were looking for.
An inspired United then kept pressing forward and seven minutes later, they were level through 16-year-old Ramsden, when she latched onto a through ball, controlled and ran at the defence before firing in smartly to equalise.
Against her former side, Laura Bartup almost completed the comeback but she saw her shot tipped away with Leeds now well on top in the match.
A fully deserved comeback was completed four minutes from the end, when Bridie Hannon found the top corner from a free kick! The goal sparked jubilant scenes in this Yorkshire derby, and Leeds then held on despite five minutes of stoppage time for a memorable win.
Full Time: Barnsley Women 2-3 Leeds United Women
