Report: Leeds United Women 0-1 Huddersfield Town Women
FA Women’s National League Division One North
Leeds United Women 0
Huddersfield Town Women 1 (Lord-Mears 74’)
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Millard, Legge (C), Cassidy, Darcie Greene, Hughes, Smith, Sanderson, White, Drew Greene, Woodruff. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Williams, Ellis, Gibrill-Keating, Elliott, Dixon.
Huddersfield: Davies (GK), Stanfield (C), Ibbotson, Mallin (Elford 46’), Duffield, Lord-Mears (Lightfoot 75’), Beresford, Housley, Biggins, Livingston, Birtwhistle. Subs not used: Bolton-Woollam (GK), Jones, Burgess, Allman, Keane
Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium
Referee: Ryan Bostock
Bookings: Housley, Stanfield (Huddersfield) Cassidy (Leeds)
Leeds United Women were narrowly defeated at home to Huddersfield Town Women on Sunday, with the visitors scoring late on to secure all three points in the FA WNL Division One North.
Simon Wood made one change from the 1-1 draw last time out against Cheadle Town Women, bringing Amy Woodruff into the starting XI in place of Chloe Dixon, following a period on the sidelines after injury.
The West Yorkshire derby got off to a slow start despite the hosts accumulating a handful of half-chances, most notably Woodruff’s slipped effort from outside the box, which was collected by Bethan Davies.
Following a positive first 15 minutes, the clash descended into end-to-end action, with both teams unable to get a foothold and the ball being contested in the air.
However, the Whites soon got back on top of chances, as Drew Greene latched onto Brittany Sanderson's lofted ball in-behind and crossed from the byline to Ellie White, but her hooked effort was high and wide of the target and no trouble for the 'keeper.
Leeds then enjoyed a sustained spell on the ball without troubling the Huddersfield goal as they sought to break the deadlock.
The best chance of the half materialised in the 35th minute, as White and Woodruff’s hard work earnt the ball back deep in the visitors’ half. Woodruff was brought down as she burst into the box which resulted in Autumn Housley being awarded a yellow card.
From the resulting free-kick, White stepped up, but her effort towards goal was too high to trouble Davies, marking the last opening of the first half.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 0-0 Huddersfield Town Women
As the second half got underway, Huddersfield almost found the opener. Tamara Livingston found herself in possession on the left flank before cutting in and shooting, but her strike looped onto the roof of Carrie Simpson’s net.
After some nice play, Drew Greene threaded Woodruff into the area. Our number 14 held the ball up on the right before knocking it through two visiting defenders and shooting from a tight angle, forcing the ‘keeper to parry away for a corner.
Louise Biggins then took aim towards goal, picking up a loose ball on the edge of the area and striking, but she dragged her shot well wide without troubling Simpson.
Leeds came so close to an opener ten minutes later. Simpson delivered a free kick from deep, which almost caught out Davies as it bounced over her and towards Woodruff, but the visitors' 'keeper recovered well to claw the ball away crucially!
Then, from the resulting passage, Woodruff forced Davies into another save as she prodded towards goal from the left wing.
Moments later, Darcie Greene was next to have a shot on goal as the fired through a crowd into the arms of the Huddersfield ‘keeper, before Sanderson did the same from a free kick from distance.
The Whites maintained this pressure with some brilliant interplay on the right wing. Drew Greene threaded an underlapping Alayna Millard into the box but the fullback dragged her shot just wide.
However, despite this continuous, the visitors found the opener as Rhema Lord-Mears prodded home with 15 minutes to play.
The Whites pushed for an equaliser until the final whistle but were unable to find the back of the net and the visitors took all three points.
Leeds are back in action next Sunday, hosting Chester-le-Street Town Ladies at the Bannister Prentice Stadium in another FA WNL Division One North clash.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 0-1 Huddersfield Town Women
