FA WNL Cup Group T
Halifax Women 2 (Hammond 33’, Rhodes-Andrews 59’)
Leeds United Women 3 (Woodruff 8’, 44’, Dixon 77’)
Halifax: Morgan (GK), Taylor, Sheehan (C), Limbert (Shaw 64’), Howell (Renwick 60’), Sugden-Brook, Wootton, Hammond (Collins 73’), Rhodes-Andrews, Buckley (Burke 60’), Mawby. Subs not used: Finch (GK), Phillips, Doyle.
Leeds: Mears (GK) (Simpson 46’), Legge (C), Cassidy, Hughes, Smith (Watson 74’), Dixon, Woodruff, Dean (White 32’), Harris (Langstaff 83'), Millard, Darcie Greene (Waldron 63’). Subs not used: Drew Greene, Sanderson.
Venue: Myra Shay | Referee: Charlotte Cochrane | Bookings: Hammond-McLean (Halifax)
Leeds United Women were victorious in the first of three FA WNL Cup Group T fixtures, beating Halifax Women 3-2 on the road.
Two first half finishes from Amy Woodruff took her tally to seven for the season after three matches played, before Chloe Dixon ended the scoring with a rocket late on to win the game.
Simon Wood made four changes to his side ahead of kick-off, bringing Alayna Millard and Kath Smith back into the side, as well as handing a first start to summer addition Ella Harris. Monique Watson and Brittany Sanderson also returned from injury to make the bench.
The Whites started the clash pressing with intent, as Dixon picked up a loose ball that Halifax had scrambled clear and tested Heidi Morgan in the hosts’ net from outside the area.
The attacking intent from Leeds paid off after eight minutes as Darcie Greene was released down the left flank and drove into the box before shooting from a tight angle. Her strike was parried by Morgan, but Woodruff was on hand to tap into an empty net at the back post!
As the first half further ticked through the first half, the game slowed with the visitors’ firmly in control. Just after 25 minutes played, Woodruff almost bagged a second as she rose highest from a deep Kath Smith free kick but could only find the wrong side of the post.
However, Halifax were next to find the back of the net as Mya Hammond found the top corner after cutting inside to level the scores.
But Woodruff had other ideas, as right before the break, she thumped home from inside the area after Darcie Greene’s header hit the post and was cleared to our number 14 who was unmarked from 10-yards out!
HALF TIME: Halifax Women 1-2 Leeds United Women
There was a change in goal for the Whites at the break as Carrie Simpson replaced Holly Mears, before the hosts got play restarted for the second half. The opening stages were cagey as both sides scrapped for the ball in the centre of the park, each looking to try and gain some control.
Ellie White almost made the much needed contact to extend the lead, as a pearl of a cross from Dixon was floated to the unmarked midfielder in the centre of the box, but it narrowly evaded the substitute.
The hosts again got back on level terms as Marli Rhodes-Andrews converted a penalty on the 60-minute mark, but with 30 minutes remaining, Leeds remained calm and looked to get back on the front foot.
Moments later, Dixon tried her luck from range again as she lined up a strike from outside the area, but her effort was high and wide of the top corner.
Watson was reintroduced to the action after returning from injury in the 74th minute, and after only being on the pitch for a short time, made an instant impact!
The midfielder sprayed the ball out to Dixon, who had been a constant threat throughout on the right wing. From there, she then took a touch before firing into the top corner to make it 3-2 to Leeds!
White almost made it four shortly after, having done brilliantly to keep the ball in play on the near side and chop past her marker, before taking aim for the far corner but narrowly clearing the target.
Leeds defended resolutely for the rest of the game, before Charlotte Cochrane blew the full time whistle to secure the first points in Group T for the Whites!
FULL TIME: Halifax Women 2-3 Leeds United Women
