FA Women’s National League Division One North
Durham Cestria 1 (Dale 12’)
Leeds United Women 2 (Drew Greene 20’, Hughes 79’)
Durham: Lydiatt (GK), Mackie (C), Bell, Gibbon (Coulson 74’), Collinson, Soulsby, Dale, Noble, Ward (Monkhouse 59’), Sinclair (Morran 59’), Prested. Subs not used: Davies, Atkinson.
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Darcie Greene, Legge (C), Cassidy, Waldron (Ellis 67’), Hughes, Smith, White, Drew Greene (Graham 90’), Gibrill-Keating (Sanderson 59’), Dixon. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Lee.
Venue: Dean Street, Shildon AFC
Referee: Alicia Kennedy
Bookings: Collinson (Durham)
Leeds United Women came from behind this afternoon to defeat Durham Cestria 2-1, thanks to Drew Greene’s equaliser and Alice Hughes’ late winner.
The Whites ran out victorious in the North East as Drew Greene cancelled out Freya Dale’s opener, and Hughes fired home ten minutes before the final whistle to secure the three points.
Simon Wood made one change to the team from Wednesday that ran out 4-0 winners over Doncaster Rovers Belles, bringing in Ruby Waldron to make her first start in the league this season.
The game got off to quiet start, with neither team able to get in control of the ball, before the hosts opened the scoring in the tenth minute, as Dale tapped in from close range after her side won the ball in the Leeds six-yard box.
However, it didn’t take long for the Whites to level, as Hughes rose highest to meet a cross at the back post, heading across goal towards Drew Greene, who poked in through a crowd of bodies.
After the equaliser, the game descended into end-to-end chances, with both ‘keepers making important stops, most notably the hosts’ Amelia Lydiatt, who made a point-blank stop to deny Chloe Dixon.
The best chance since the goal fell to Leeds just before the half time whistle, with Drew Greene winning the ball off a Durham defender just outside the box, before squaring from the byline to Sian Gibrill-Keating, but despite cutting past a blue shirt, her prodded effort narrowly cleared the post, marking an end to the half.
HALF TIME: Durham Cestria 1-1 Leeds United Women
The second half started off similarly to the first, with no real chances materialising despite both teams pushing forward. Introductions from either bench were made, with Brittany Sanderson replacing Gibrill-Keating, and Macy Ellis coming on for Waldron.
Sanderson was immediately involved, playing a brilliant ball over the top to Ellie White who darted into the area, before taking aim for the top right corner, but just missing the target.
However, with ten minutes to go the Whites did find the back of the net…Sanderson picked out Darcie Greene on the left wing, who crossed to the centre of the box. The ball just evaded the head of White, but Hughes met it at the far post and fired into the back of the net to put us ahead!
The Whites then demonstrated a tremendous defensive effort to prevent an equaliser, and Alicia Kennedy blew the whistle to confirm the three points heading back to Leeds!
Next up is a visit to West Bromwich Albion Women in the FA WNL Cup, where the Whites will look to progress further in the cup against Tier 3 opposition.
FULL TIME: Durham Cestria 1-2 Leeds United Women
