FA Women’s National League Division One North
Leeds United Women 1 (Dixon 44’)
Norton & Stockton Ancients 2 (Atkinson 24’, Owens 82’)
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Millard, Legge (C), Cassidy (Elliott 70’), Darcie Greene, Hughes, White (Bentley 88’), Smith (Gibrill-Keating 46’), Drew Greene, Woodruff (Williams 90+7’), Dixon (Ellis 88’). Subs not used: Oates (GK), Graham.
Norton: Chisnall (GK), Forster (Heslop 88’), Cairns (Green 59’), Burton, West, Boyle, Owens (C), Atkinson (Swash 88’), Leech, Jamieson (Coyle 72’), Marshall (McArthur 88’). Subs not used: Valentine (GK), Rae.
Venue: Elland Road
Referee: Lois Jefferies
Bookings: Gibrill-Keating, Elliott (Leeds) Green, Leech (Norton)
Attendance: 4,053
On Sunday afternoon, Leeds United Women fell to a narrow defeat to Norton & Stockton Ancients at Elland Road in their final home FA WNL Division One North fixture of the campaign.
Ahead of kick off, Simon Wood named a side featuring one change, bringing in Chloe Dixon on the wing in place of Izzy Elliott, with Darcie Greene returning to her original role at fullback.
Looking to take the lead early on in front of over 4,000 supporters, Dixon delivered a free kick from deep towards an arriving Alice Hughes at the back post, but under pressure from Norton’s Bianca Owens, her header struck the advertising boards.
Shorty after, Alayna Millard crossed the ball into White in the box, who took a touch round her marker and fired towards goal, forcing Rachel Chisnall into a low save.
However, despite the Whites’ early pressure, Norton found the lead in the 24th minute thanks to Louise Atkinson.
Looking to level the affair, White again found herself in space and forced a save from Chisnall. From the rebound, Leeds came forward again through Drew Greene, but her driven strike cleared the far post.
Finally, the hosts’ pressure paid off, as just before the break, the Whites found a leveller through Dixon.
The number 11 fired into the back of the net precisely from a free kick at distance on her return to the starting XI to equalise, and Lois Jefferies blew the whistle to signal the interval shortly after!
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 1-1 Norton & Stockton Ancients
Looking to immediately take the lead, Leeds came forward through Darcie Greene who skipped past two Norton defenders before taking aim for the top corner, forcing a smart diving intervention from Chisnall.
Shortly after, Dixon delivered the ball into the box and towards half-time introduction Sian Gibrill-Keating, but her header cleared the post.
The Whites came close once again a few minutes later, as Dixon’s free kick was palmed off the line by Chisnall but only as far as Hughes, but her header hit the bar and went behind for a goal kick.
Gibrill-Keating again came close with twenty minutes to go, as she was threaded through in-behind, but with a defender breathing down her neck she couldn’t generate enough power to properly trouble the ‘keeper.
However, against the run of play, Norton came forward and as the ball bounced in the box, a penalty was awarded to the visitors. Owens stepped up to the spot and converted to give her side the lead with ten to play.
As the clash descended into seven added minutes, Hughes stepped up to a free kick from range but fired narrowly over with her strike.
Late substitution Sophie Bentley then tried her luck from the edge of the area, doing well to beat her marker before striking just wide of the target.
Despite the late pressure from the Whites, it wasn’t to be as Lois Jefferies blew the whistle for full time on Leeds’ home campaign this season.
The White are back in action in a week in the West Riding FA County Cup semi-finals, where they will look to make the final and retain the trophy, before a final game of the season away at Stockport County Ladies at Edgeley Park.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 1-2 Norton & Stockton Ancients
