FA WNL Division One North
Cheadle Town 2 (Gillin 47’, Porteous-Williams 65’ pen)
Leeds United Women 3 (Smith 7’, 13’ pen; Woodruff 59’)
Cheadle: Linford (GK), Plant (Gindra 57’), Ahmed (C) (Paget 63’), John, Gillin, Birtwistle (Duce 80’), Dunlop, Porteous-Williams, Dean, Houghton, Shepley. Subs not used: Ruddock, Coe.
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Legge, Smart (C), Danby, Dobson, Rousseau, Smith, Woodruff, Price, Waldron (Jakeman 68’), Greene. Subs not used: Lockwood (GK), Gibrill-Keating, Langstaff.
Referee: Ciara Barker
Booked: Ahmed, Houghton (Cheadle)
Venue: Ground Up Solutions Stadium
Leeds United Women recorded their third straight FA WNL Division One North victory with an impressive 3-2 triumph away at Cheadle Town.
A Kath Smith brace had put the Whites two goals to the good at the break and, despite a spirited second half display from the hosts, Amy Woodruff’s finish on the hour mark proved to be the difference in Cheshire.
Leeds, buoyed by back-to-back impressive league victories over Durham Cestria and Doncaster Rovers Belles, were in the ascendency from the off, dominating the ball and looking to make early inroads down the flanks.
After just seven minutes on the clock, Simon Wood’s side deservedly took the lead following an inventive corner kick routine.
Smith wriggled free to find space and rose highest to meet Sarah Danby’s dangerous in-swinging delivery, looping a header over a helpless Jessica Linford in the Cheadle net to grab the opener!
After the whirlwind start, the hosts sent a timely reminder of the threat they offered on the break, with Carrie Simpson’s services required as the Leeds stopper saved well at full-stretch to deny Sophie John’s powerful drive.
Within minutes however, the in-form Smith added to her tally as Leeds extended their lead. A hopeful ball into the area caused all sorts of problems for the hosts, with Natasha Shepley adjudged to have used a hand as referee Ciara Barker pointed to the spot.
Up stepped the midfielder from 12 yards to confidently send the keeper the wrong way and fire into the top corner!
Moments after the restart with the Whites dominating proceedings, Amy Woodruff profited on a loose ball and set her sights on goal, but her effort sailed over the bar from the edge of the area.
In what had become a fast-paced affair, Isobel Dean then met a cross from the home side’s right, heading straight at Simpson.
Cheadle won back possession and attacked once more, with Simpson this time pulling off an acrobatic fingertip save to deny Imogen Porteous-Williams from close range.
Approaching the half-hour mark, versatile winger Darcie Greene almost added a third in audacious fashion, initially controlling well on the chest before volleying narrowly wide of the upright from the edge of the area.
Greene then picked out the run of Woodruff in behind the Reds’ backline with a well weighted pass but, under pressure from multiple defenders, the forward lashed wide before Barker brought an entertaining opening 45 minutes to a close.
HALF TIME: Cheadle Town 0-2 Leeds United Women
Within moments of the restart, the hosts halved the deficit when Jessica Gillin let fly from the edge of the area, rifling a fierce strike into the top corner beyond the dive of Simpson.
Leeds responded well to Cheadle’s lifeline, controlling the ball and limiting the hosts to very little, before restoring the two-goal lead just before the hour mark!
Tenacious centre-forward play from Woodruff saw the striker to dispossess Yasmin Ahmed inside the area, before showing great composure to fire beyond Linford into the back of the net!
Within five minutes though, controversy descended as Leoni Price was penalised for a foul inside the area.
Simpson initially saved superbly from Porteous-Williams, but the referee awarded a retake after the keeper was adjudged to have been off her line.
The Cheadle forward stepped up for a second time and struck powerfully into the corner to reduce the deficit once more.
Momentum swung both ways as the hosts searched for an equaliser whilst Leeds looked to wrestle back possession and control the tempo, with substitute Harriet Jakeman drilling wide from distance for United.
After huge appeals for a second Leeds penalty were waved away by Barker, Smith had a chance to put the game to bed, but her effort from a narrow angle trickled agonisingly past the post.
In the dying moments, Cheadle came forward once more desperately looking to level matters, only for the Whites’ defence to stand firm and see out a third league victory in as many matches!
FULL TIME: Cheadle Town 2-3 Leeds United Women
