FA Women’s National League Division One North
Donaster Rovers Belles 1 (Mortimer 84’)
Leeds United Women 3 (Williams 11’ 68’, K. Smith 56’)
Doncaster Rovers Belles: Sharpe (GK), Johnson (Morris 78’), Rattenbury, Tugby-Andrew (C), Housley, Parnham (Yates 80’), McWilliams (Abadi 45’), Gigg (Mortimer 46’), L. Tugby-Andrew, Saxton, Breen (Brown 62’).
Leeds United Women: Simpson (GK), Jakeman (S. Smith 90’), Elliot, Smart (C), Pizzarello, Danby, Whitham (Price 78’), K. Smith, Ellis (Sykes 78’), Rousseau, Williams. Subs not used: Kirkham (GK).
Venue: Iqbal Poultry Stadium, Doncaster
Attendance: 309
Referee: James Moody
Booked: Gigg, McWilliams (Doncaster)
Leeds United Women continued their 100% start to the 2023/24 season in style, beating Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers Belles at the Iqbal Poultry Stadium.
The Whites had started their league campaign with a 2-1 win at home to Stockport County, followed up by progress in the FAWNL Cup last Sunday, winning 1-4 away at Leek Town.
Leeds were expecting tough opposition, as Belles had finished 2nd last season (in the FAWNL Division One Midlands) and had begun life in the Division One North with a 7-1 victory over FC United of Manchester, making them the early front runners on goal difference.
In truth though, The Whites made light work of their opponents in South Yorkshire, dominating possession and moving the ball with real pace and confidence which Belles simply couldn’t match.
The visitors didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring as Paige Williams marked her first start of the season with her first goal, coolly slotting past Ellie Sharpe from inside the box on 11 minutes.
It could have been more before the break, Ellis smashed a volley over on 34 minutes from a dangerous Sarah Danby cross, and Danby went close herself on the stroke of half time with a right footed effort from the edge of the box.
HALF TIME: Doncaster Rovers Belles 0-1 Leeds United Women
The Whites came out on top again in the second period, Jess Rousseau almost made it two on 55 minutes but saw her curling effort brilliantly tipped round the post by Sharpe.
Less than a minute later though Leeds doubled their lead. Elliott’s cross was powerfully headed in by Kathryn Smith, leaving Sharpe with no chance.
Leeds stayed on top and pushed for a third with some superb, free-flowing attacking football. Rousseau and Macy Ellis linked up well on 59 minutes but the latter saw her curling shot held by Sharpe and minutes later Williams fired over.
The Whites number 15 only managed one goal in the whole of last season, but on 68 minutes she had already bettered that tally. She collected the ball just outside the box and fired at goal, beating Sharpe for pure power at her near post to put Leeds 0-3 up.
The only blemish on a fantastic performance today from Leeds was Belles’ consolation goal on 84 minutes as substitute Ella Mortimer denied Carrie Simpson a first clean sheet of the season.
The Whites almost restored their three goal lead on 87 minutes, Williams cutting inside and unselfishly squaring to Rousseau instead of going for her hat-trick, but Sharpe once again came to Belles rescue, saving brilliantly with her feet.
Leeds face another Yorkshire derby on Wednesday evening, as they travel to York City Ladies at the LNER Community Stadium.
FULL TIME: Doncaster Rovers Belles 1-3 Leeds United Women
