FA Women’s National League Division One North

Huddersfield Town Women 0

Leeds United Women 1 (Woodruff 85’)

Huddersfield: Davies (GK), Stanfield (C), Mallin, Duffield, Lord-Mears, Ibbotson (Biggins 46’), Elford (Firth 88’), Beresford, Housley, Gindra, Burgess. Subs not used: Firth, Franks, Brown, Keane.

Leeds: Simpson (GK), Millard, Legge (C), Cassidy, Darcie Greene, Hughes, Watson (Graham 62’), Smith (White 80’), Drew Greene, Woodruff, Dixon (Gibrill-Keating 90’). Subs not used: Oates (GK), Elliott, Williams, Waldron.

Venue: Accu Stadium, Huddersfield

Referee: Aron Connolly

Bookings: Ibbotson, Elford (Huddersfield) Smith (Leeds)

Leeds United Women ran out 1-0 winners away at Huddersfield Town Women this afternoon, with Amy Woodruff’s 85th minute winner sealing all three points for the Whites.

Woodruff slotted home with five minutes to go, as she cut inside from the left, beat a defender and placed the ball into the back of the net, leaving the ‘keeper rooted.

Ahead of the game, Simon Wood named one change to the side that defeated Norton & Stockton Ancients on penalties in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup last time out, bringing Alayna Millard into the Starting XI in place of Ellie White.

The hosts enjoyed a lengthy spell of possession after the first half got underway, dominating the middle of the park, but Leeds stood firm, and defensive resilience prevented any real chances materialising.

Woodruff was at the centre of the Whites’ first chance of the game, as she brought down Carrie Simpson’s goal kick in the centre circle and sprinted towards goal, gliding past two defenders but ultimately only finding the side netting from a tight angle as she reached the byline.

Chloe Dixon then maintained the pressure on the Terriers’ backline, collecting a loose ball to the left of goal and darting past a defender, before striking towards goal but again only finding the side netting.

Leeds almost found the breakthrough with five minutes to play, after the contest had calmed down during the middle of the first half.

The ball fell to Woodruff in the box following a counterattack, and she half-volleyed towards goal, forcing an acrobatic intervention from Bethan Davies in the hosts’ goal. The resulting corner ricocheted in the box, before eventually landing at Emily Cassidy’s boot.

Our centre-half also half-volleyed at goal and sprung Davies into action, parrying away for her defence to clear only as far as Dixon at the corner flag, who crossed to the back post for Drew Greene to prod at goal, forcing the Huddersfield ‘keeper to intervene again.

HALF TIME: Huddersfield Town Women 0-0 Leeds United Women

The second half started similarly to the first, with Huddersfield holding the ball for a lengthy spell, and Leeds demonstrating their threat on the counter.

Leeds again had the first real chance of the half, which came in the 70th minute. Darcie Greene picked up the ball on the left wing and forced her way past two defenders, before crossing to the feet of Drew Greene at an angle.

The forward’s flick was on target, but was met by Davies in the Huddersfield goal, as she dived down quickly to smother the ball and alleviate the pressure.

As the game ticked to 80 minutes and the hosts continued knocking the ball around in the midfield, Simon Wood make another substitution, adding Ellie White to the mix in place of Kath Smith.

Then, in the 85th minute, Leeds found the opener, through Woodruff's brilliance.

Our number 14 struck into the back of the net with five minutes of normal time remaining, cutting inside from the left wing and beating a defender before slotting home, leaving Davies rooted.

This opener proved to be the winner, as Leeds defended resolutely until the final whistle.

Next weekend, Leeds United Women are back on cup duties again as they make the trip to The Easy Buy Stadium to face Hull City Ladies in the FA Women’s National League Cup First Round.

The Whites have enjoyed success in the Plate division of the competition, being crowned winners in the 2022/23 season after beating Stourbridge 3-1.

FULL TIME: Huddersfield Town Women 0-1 Leeds United Women