Adobe Women's FA Cup
Darwen FC Ladies 1 (R. Wood 59’)
Leeds United Women 1 (Rousseau 30’)
Darwen FC Ladies win 4-3 on penalties.
Darwen: Gregson (GK), L. Wood (McPherson 57’), R. Wood, Duckworth, Smith, Flynn, Heslip (L. Smith 73’), Parkinson, McKenna, Ratcliffe (Pottinger 112’), Johnson. Subs not used: Hill.
Leeds: Kirkham (GK), Hindle (Jakeman 100’), Pizzarello, Turner, Elliott, Smith, Danby, Price, Astle (Waldron 112’), Smart (C), Rousseau. Subs not used: Robshaw.
Venue: Multevo Anchor Ground
Attendance: 345
Referee: Chelsea Hodgson
Booked: Flynn (Darwen)
Leeds United Women travelled away from hone on Sunday afternoon, taking on Darwen FC Ladies at the Multevo Anchor Ground in Lancashire.
The teams were facing off in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Second Round, after impressive victories away from home last time out to reach this stage of the competition.
Following 120 minutes of football, neither side could be separated, meaning the match went to penalty kicks and from the spot, the hosts progressed to the Third Round.
When the match got underway, Darwen had the first efforts on goal. Alicia Johnson twice went close with long-range efforts, before a third powerful left-footed strike would cannon off the crossbar this time.
Simon Wood’s side then got on the front foot themselves with top-scorer Jess Rousseau going close, forcing a good save from Taylor Gregson, who would prove to be hard to beat all afternoon.
In the 30th minute though, the Whites did find a way through. Always looking dangerous, Rousseau struck from 25-yards and cannoned an effort in off the post to put her side ahead.
Shortly before the break, Sarah Danby would force Gregson into another save from a free-kick, but again the ‘keeper dealt well with it and that would be the final action of the first half.
HALF TIME: Darwen FC Ladies 0-1 Leeds United Women
No changes were made at the break and this cup clash got back underway, with both teams looking to press forward and progress to the next round.
Olivia Smart was the first to go close, with a first effort hitting the side netting. The skipper did then find the back of the net with a second attempt, but the offside flag went up to deny her this time.
Just a minute later and the hosts were level, from a set-play. Rachel Wood was the player in the six-yard box to place her header over the line, from Johnson’s dangerous corner into the box.
Gregson continued her fine form from the first half, saving well from Kath Smith twice, before then doing well to deny Leoni Price.
Entering the final few seconds of normal time, Rousseau would then force a save before Danby fired into the side netting.
The full time whistle blew to signal the end of the match, meaning the match went to extra-time at the Multevo Anchor Ground with 345 spectators in attendance.
FULL TIME: Darwen FC Ladies 1-1 Leeds United Women
Back out and underway in extra-time, Smith again would go close, as she saw the impressive Gregson make yet another stop.
Leeds saw the majority of the ball but were struggling to break their hard-working hosts down and create clear openings. Fresh off the bench, Ruby Waldron was next to try her luck, hitting the side netting.
Now into the second period, the game was getting stretched in the cold conditions, with the floodlights on in Lancashire. A final big chance came and went, with Rousseau doing well to work space, only to see Gregson deny her again.
That was that and the whistle was blown for the last time, meaning penalties would be needed. In a tense shoot-out, the home side held their nerve and went on to win 4-3 on spot-kicks, meaning they progress into the next round.
FULL TIME (AET): Darwen FC Ladies (4) 1-1 (3) Leeds United Women
Darwen FC Ladies win 4-3 on penalties.
