FA Women’s National League Division One North
Leeds United Women 1 (Sanderson 21’)
Durham Cestria 1 (Atkinson 90+2’)
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Millard, Legge (C), Cassidy, Darcie Greene, Hughes, Sanderson (Ellis 90’), Smith, White (Bentley 66’), Drew Greene, Woodruff. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Elliott, Gibrill-Keating, Dixon.
Durham: Lydiatt (GK), Mackie (C), Gibbon, Monkhouse, Hutchinson (Forster 68’), Dale, Noble, Morran, Sinclair (Coulson 46’), Atkinson, Prested. Subs not used: Davies (GK), Bell, Stokes.
Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium
Referee: Ciara Barker
Bookings: N/A
Leeds United Women were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Durham Cestria on Sunday afternoon, as Brittany Sanderson’s opener was cancelled out late on by the visitors.
Simon Wood named an unchanged side for the clash from the midweek win over York City Ladies, the only adjustments on the bench, where Sian Gibrill-Keating and Chloe Dixon returned.
Leeds started strong down the left flank, as Sanderson and Darcie Greene played a slick one-two to release the latter down the line, but her cross was collected by Amelia Lydiatt.
After a relatively quiet start in West Yorkshire, Ellie White delivered a dangerous corner right into the goalmouth where Alice Hughes was arriving, but her header cleared the bar.
Moments later, White stepped up to another dead-ball, this time on the edge of the area. With her sights set on goal, she curled towards the target, but it was too high to trouble the ‘keeper.
After 21 minutes Leeds found a deserved breakthrough! Another dangerous corner by White was delivered to the front post to Sanderson, who flicked the ball onto the bar and into the back of the net from close range!
As the half continued, the visitors grew into the game, creating a handful of decent chances but to no reward, including Elen-Marie Atkinson firing just wide from a good opportunity.
United defended resolutely until the interval as Ciara Barker blew her whistle to signal half time with the score still in the hosts’ favour.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 1-0 Durham Cestria
Durham came out prying for a leveller as the second half got underway. Carrie Simpson had to be particularly alert to prevent the visitors from profiting after breaking the offside trap.
This theme continued as the second half progressed, and in a bid to sure up his side, Simon Wood looked to the bench and added Sophie Bentley into the mix.
Looking to capitalise on a good spell of possession, the ball was worked to Hughes on the edge of the area. She took aim but cleared the bar with her curling effort.
With 15 minutes to go, Bentley spotted Lydiatt off her line and she tried her luck from distance, but her strike was always too high.
Despite all this hard defensive work, Durham equalised through Atkinson two minutes into stoppage time.
Looking to immediately retore the lead, Hughes laid the ball off to Darcie Greene in the box, but her low strike was saved by Lydiatt. This proved to be the last action of the game, as the referee blew the whistle for full time.
The Whites are back in action on Sunday, travelling to York City Ladies for a second meeting in as many weeks.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 1-1 Durham Cestria
