FA WNL Cup Group T
Leeds United Women 3 (Dean 10’, Woodruff 62’, Smith 82’)
Huddersfield Town Women 0
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Legge (C), Hughes, Drew Greene (Coley 74’), White (Langstaff 82’), Smith, Dixon, Woodruff (Sanderson 64’), Dean, Millard, Darcie Greene (Cassidy 46’). Subs not used: Oates (GK), Mears (GK), Harris.
Huddersfield: Woollam (GK), Stanfield (C), Mallin (Lord-Mears 68’), Griffiths, Duffield (Housley 68’), Beresford (Keane 68’), Lightfoot (Kelly 68’), Page, Biggins (Elford 68’), Livingston, Birtwhistle. Subs not used: Davies (GK)
Venue: BD Community Stadium | Referee: Laura Van Lier | Bookings: N/A
Leeds United Women continued excellent early-season form with a 3-0 win over tier-above Huddersfield Town Women in Group T of the FA WNL Cup.
Izzy Dean scored the first goal early on, before a cheeky Amy Woodruff finish and Kath Smith volley in the second half secured three points in the cup.
Prior to kick off, Simon Wood made two changes to the side that defeated Chorley Women 5-0 last time out, bringing Carrie Simpson back between the sticks and Drew Greene returning to the right-wing.
Leeds started brightest as the clash got underway, Alice Hughes latching on to a loose ball in the box following a corner but firing over the bar from inside the area.
Chloe Dixon was next to have an attempt on goal, turning her marker outside the box and firing low, only just evading Kacey Woollam’s bottom corner.
The early pressure was rewarded after only 10 minutes, as Dean scored her first goal for the club to give the Whites a deserved lead!
Drew Greene was found in space on the right flank before delivering a low, teasing cross into the area, where the box-crashing Dean was on hand to fire into the back of the net emphatically!
After a spell of end-to-end action but without openings, Leeds came forward again, this time Ellie White dragging a strike wide of the mark after another dangerous Dixon corner.
Two chances for Hughes came shortly after, one a header from a corner that had to be caught by an alert Woollam, and the other an ambitious strike from outside the box that only just cleared the upright.
The best chances since the goal followed as Dixon cut inside and forced a strong save from the visitors’ ‘keeper. The ball was half cleared to Alayna Millard who found Woodruff in the box, dropping off to White to wriggle her way through the defenders and shoot, but clearing the bar agonisingly.
Woodruff came close not long after, drilling powerfully towards goal but only finding the side netting, before turning provider as she crossed to the back post, where White attacked the ball but headed straight at Woollam.
These were the last openings of a dominant first half for Leeds, as Laura Van Lier blew her whistle for the interval shortly after.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 1-0 Huddersfield Town Women
At the break, Darcie Greene was replaced by Emily Cassidy as Simon Wood shuffled his team for the second 45.
The hosts almost got on level terms in the opening stages of the half as Jessica Lightfoot flicked on target from close range, but Simpson reacted well and got down to make a crucial stop.
However, just after the 60th minute, Leeds made it two!
Pressing high in the Huddersfield half, Woollam was forced to clear only as far as Woodruff, who drove towards the area before lobbing the ‘keeper audaciously to double the lead and get her eighth goal of the campaign so far!
Still enjoying her afternoon after a positive first half, Dixon again came close to getting herself on the scoresheet, firing just wide after playing a nice one-two with White just inside the box.
With 16 minutes to play, Wood again looked to his bench, giving the nod to Abi Coley to make her debut for the Whites as she replaced Drew Greene.
As the clock ticked into the final 10, Leeds found another through Smith, who volleyed home a loose ball following a half-cleared deep corner!
This proved the last action of the half, another three points secured for the Whites in Group T and a fifth win on the bounce!
Next up, Leeds welcome Stockport County Women to the BD Community Stadium in FA WNL Division One North action.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 3-0 Huddersfield Town Women
