FA WNL Division One North
Leeds United Women 2 (Woodruff 13’, 45’)
Middlesbrough Women 3 (Robson 5’, Giles 57’, Mett 89’)
Leeds: Simpson, Legge, Smart (C), Turner, Danby, Dobson, Rousseau (Darcie Greene 28’), Smith (Gibrill-Keating 75’), Drew Greene, Woodruff, Waldron. Subs not used: Lockwood (GK), Price.
Middlesbrough: Cook (GK), Packham, Towers, Turnbull, Mett, Maxwell (Skelton 64’), Robson, Giles, Bell, Burn (C) (Wilkinson 45’), Boyes. Subs not used: Wareham (GK), Foster, Ward.
Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium
Referee: Jermaine Isherwood
Leeds United Women fell to a late defeat as they hosted Middlesbrough Women at the Bannister Prentice Stadium in the FA WNL Division One North.
After falling behind early on, Amy Woodruff’s well-taken brace had put the Whites a goal to the good at the break, but second half strikes from Leanna Giles and Jess Mett saw Boro return to Teesside with all three points.
Despite Simon Wood’s side starting brightly in Garforth, the visitors took the lead in the fifth minute when Lauren Robson reacted quickest to Armani Maxwell’s blocked effort, sweeping into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Looking for an immediate response, captain Olivia Smart swung in a deep delivery which almost caught Ruby Cook out in the Boro net, with the keeper desperately backpedalling to tip the ball over the bar.
There was nothing Cook could do moments later however when the Whites deservedly levelled, with forward Woodruff rising highest to meet a dangerous Sarah Danby set piece and glance a superb header into the far corner!
On the half hour mark, the hosts would have taken the lead if not for a magnificent reaction save from Cook. A Smart cross from the right caused all sorts of problems for the visitors, with the ball cannoning off Millie Bell and looking destined to nestle in the back of the net, only for Cook to save superbly and spare her teammate’s blushes.
Approaching half time, it was Carrie Simpson’s turn to be alert and make a fine stop. Initially, her loose pass had been intercepted well by Giles, but the keeper made amends by saving well one-on-one.
On the stroke of half time, the visitors would be made to rue that missed opportunity, when Woodruff grabbed her second of the afternoon!
Deliveries from the right flank had caused Middlesbrough issues throughout and this time proved no different, with Smart’s low cross eventually falling the way of Woodruff who fired home at the back post to put her side into the lead at the break.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 2-1 Middlesbrough Women
Leeds started the second half strongly as they looked to extend their lead, with debutant Darcie Greene finding a yard of space after good work from Ellie Dobson, but she saw her powerful effort deflect off a red shirt and away from danger.
For all the Whites’ possession, the visitors still posed a threat on the counter and Simpson had to be alert moments later, first saving well from Maxwell, before Robson curled wide from distance as the visitors attacked once more.
Boro weren’t to be denied an equaliser for too long however, as Giles darted in behind and finished confidently beyond Simpson into the corner just before the hour mark.
Within moments, Michael Mulhern’s side went close to taking the lead, with Maxwell’s fiercely struck drive sailing narrowly over the crossbar.
As Middlesbrough began to turn up the pressure, the services of Simpson were once again required, making a fine reaction save from close range after Robson’s low cross had cannoned towards goal off Lucy Turner.
With the visitors in the ascendency, Leeds then had their captain Smart to thank after she made a vital goalline clearance to deny Mett’s close-range effort, before Robson struck the woodwork with a low strike.
Despite the Whites defending resolutely, Mett would have the last say as she raced through in the dying stages on the right and drilled a low effort in off the post, helping the visitors claim all three points.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 2-3 Middlesbrough Women
