FA Women’s National League Division One North
Leeds United Women 0
Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies 2 (Manders 63’, Clark 72’)
Leeds United Women: Simpson (GK), Hindle, Hannon, Smart (C), Danby, Whitham, Smith, Williams, Rousseau, Woodruff (Underdown 73’), Brown. Subs not used: Robson.
Norton & Stockton Ancients: Chisnall (GK), Johnson, Rae, Burton (C), West, Tierney (Clark 55’), Reed, Manders, Hodgson, Pierce (Coyle 75’), Ormerod (McGuire 64). Subs not used: Moore.
Venue: So-Trak Stadium
Attendance: 120
Referee: F Aladelusi
Leeds United Women fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Norton & Stockton Ancients on a wet Wednesday evening at the So-Trak Stadium.
Rick Passmoor’s side came into the game looking for a reaction after Sunday’s defeat at Chorley and knowing that a victory would see them move up to fifth in the table, as they continue to play catch-up on their league fixtures.
Passmoor made four changes from the weekend’s defeat. He was without centre-back Cath Hamill for the first time this season due to illness, whilst winger Macy Ellis missed out with a knock that saw her forced off after half an hour against Chorley.
Kanisha Underdown and Savanna Robson dropped to the bench, with Rachel Hindle, Sarah Danby, Danielle Whitham and Abbie Brown returning to the starting eleven.
It was the visitors who had the first chance of the game, just two minutes in Sophie Hodgson robbed Olivia Smart of possession and raced clear on goal, only to rush her chance and scuff a golden opportunity wide of the post.
Leeds would dominate the rest of the first half but it proved to be a half of few clear chances, despite their dominance of possession.
Brown had Leeds’ best effort, a fizzing strike on the turn from 25 yards that was well saved by Rachel Chisnall in the Norton goal.
The Whites were looking dangerous down the right with Hindle and Rousseau combining well, on 18 minutes, Rousseau provided a dangerous cross for Woodruff but she couldn’t connect with her header.
On 26 minutes, Kath Smith had a decent chance when a Sarah Danby corner was cleared only as far as the edge of the box, but the midfielder blazed her shot over the bar. Two minutes later, Paige Williams tried her luck from range, but it proved no trouble for Chisnall.
Leeds’ best chance of the half came on 40 minutes, Williams drove through the middle of the pitch before slotting Woodruff in with a brilliant, disguised pass, but Chisnall was quick off her line to thwart the Leeds forward.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies
Leeds started well again in the second half, Rousseau had a chance but curled over the bar before Chisnall did well to claim Brown’s header from a corner.
Despite Leeds having all the pressure in the first hour of the game, it would be the visitors who took the lead on 63 minutes. Nicki Burton delivered a deep set piece from just inside the Leeds half and Holly Manders arrived to nod the visitors in front.
Less than 10 minutes later it was 2-0, Hodgson with some nice footwork in the box to work room for a shot, Simpson saved down to her left but Estelle Clark was on hand to hook the ball home.
The Whites didn’t give up and came close to grabbing a goal back when Rousseau powered her way into the box and drove an effort towards the bottom corner, the ball struck the inside of the post and rolled across the face of goal but Norton managed to clear.
Moments later, Rousseau was involved again as she got to the byline and cut back for Kanisha Underdown but her shot was blocked as Norton defenders threw themselves in the way to protect their clean sheet.
A frustrating evening for the Whites who suffer back-to-back defeats in the league for only the second time this season.
Their busy schedule continues on Sunday as they make the trip to Middlesborough.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 0-2 Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies