FAWNL Division One North

Doncaster Rovers Belles 3 (Barnes 10’, Sears 48’, 79’)

Leeds United Women 6 (Darcie Greene 8’, Drew Greene 31’, Rousseau 46’, 65’, Woodruff 82’ pen, 90+4’)

Belles: Bywater (GK), Abadi, Sears, Tugby-Andrew, Saxton, McWilliams, Barnes, Davis (Coley 71’), Parnham, Fugler, Pitter (Yates 71’). Subs not used: Everitt, Findlay, Precious.

Leeds: Oates (GK), Legge, Smart (C), Turner, Hughes (Price 90’), Danby, Rousseau (Girbrill-Keating 89’), Drew Greene, Woodruff, Darcie Greene, Montgomery (White 83’). Subs not used: Mortimer (GK), Dias.

Referee: Ethan Nundy

Venue: Cannon Park

Attendance: 176

Leeds United Women faced Doncaster Rovers Belles in a mid-week Yorkshire derby on Wednesday evening, travelling away from home to face their South Yorkshire opponents.

Simon Wood’s side secured an impressive victory against the Belles in the first meeting earlier on in the campaign, scoring three goals to claim the three points on home turf.

Both teams were now looking to bounce back from league defeats in their previous outings in what was expected to be an entertaining encounter, in tough conditions.

When this clash got underway under the lights at Cannon Park, the Whites made a quick start. Amy Woodruff’s cross from the left evaded everyone, bounced back out off the post, and Darcie Greene was the most alert to turn home at close range.

Responding instantly though, the home side were level within two minutes. Following a ball into the box from the right, a goalmouth scramble ended with Ruby Barnes managing to loop the ball over Charlotte Oates and into the back of the net.

Belles then had a glorious chance to go into the lead. Jasmine Saxton was released through the middle and after rounding Oates, it just needed the finish with an open goal awaiting, but the forward sliced wide.

Rovers had two more excellent chances and should have taken the lead. Jess Tugby-Andrew struck the bar with a free-kick, before moments later, previous scorer Barnes had a chance from two-yards out but fired over.

Leeds would then seize their opportunity to score again with half an hour played. Darcie turned provider this time, finding twin-sister Drew Greene at the back-post, where she slotted home to put her side back ahead!

An entertaining first half was then brought to a close with the Whites a goal ahead, as they returned to the dressing room.

HALF TIME: Doncaster Rovers Belles 1-2 Leeds United

Back out under the lights, and rain, Wood’s side were looking to build upon the lead they had built from the opening 45 minutes and they did just that!

Instantly after the restart, Jess Rousseau capitalised on a loose back pass, picked up the ball and rounded the ‘keeper before finishing well from a tight angle.

However, like in the first half, the hosts instantly hit back. This time it was Mallory Sears who reduced the deficit by finding the back of the net, after her effort went in off the far post.

After a spell of Leeds seeing plenty of the ball but having no major chances to show from it, a clinical break forward did see a fourth arrive for the visitors.

Olivia Smart did well to push the side up the pitch and release Drew Greene on the wing, she looked up and fed Rousseau a pinpoint pass and the striker did the rest, finishing with composure inside the area.

Again though, the advantage was quickly reduced as the home side once more found a way back into the game. A deep free-kick into the box caused problems and bundling home inside the six-yard box was Sears for her second of the night.

With rain soaking down, there was still time for more action inside the final 10 minutes, as both teams kept searching for further goals.

Doing well to work her way into the box, Woodruff was brought down and a penalty was awarded. The striker stepped up herself and found the bottom corner, netting a fifth goal of the night for her side!

Entering stoppage time and there was still time for another. Woodruff was again on target, as she found space on the right-hand-side of the area, before finishing well under pressure to wrap up the points away from home.

FULL TIME: Doncaster Rovers Belles 3-6 Leeds United