FA WNL Division One North

Leeds United Women 3 (Smith 25’, Drew Greene 30’, Hughes 64’)

Norton & Stockton Ancients 0

Leeds: Simpson (GK), Legge, Turner, Hughes, Danby (C) (White 72’), Dobson, Smith, Drew Greene (Gibrill-Keating 83’), Woodruff, Darcie Greene (Waldron 89’), Guy. Subs not used: Oates (GK).

Norton: Moore (GK), McGuire, Rae, Burton, West, Reed (Coyle 74’), Owens (C), Hodgson (McSorley 62’), Atkinson, Jamieson, Marshall (Atkinson 74’).

Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium, Garforth

Referee: Ciara Barker

Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium

Bookings: Owens, Marshall, Atkinson, Rae (Norton)

Leeds United Women roared back to winning ways with a resounding 3-0 victory over Norton & Stockton Ancients in the FA WNL Division One North, thanks to goals from Kath Smith, Drew Greene and Alice Hughes.

In glorious sunshine on the afternoon in Garforth, the Whites started brightly with Darcie Greene calling Norton goalkeeper Kelsie Moore into action with a powerful early effort.

The first quarter of an hour saw both sides enjoy a fair share of the ball, but a lack of clear-cut chances were created with the defences on top in the game’s early stages.

Midfielder Smith then tried her luck from distance after a strong challenge by skipper Sarah Danby beforehand had won the ball back. The shot was struck well but sailed over the upright.

For all Simon Wood’s side’s pressure, defender Ellie Dobson had to be alert to ensure the scores remained level at the 20-minute mark, making a last-second interception to tackle Norton winger Sophie Hodgson who was in a promising position.

The opportunities kept coming for Leeds as Woodruff provided a teasing ball into the box for Smith to meet. Striking it well, the shot was well saved by Moore from close range, denying a certain opener.

It was the exact same link up that would choreograph the first goal of the game. Excellent persistence from Woodruff saw the striker dispossess a yellow shirt inside the area, squaring an inviting ball across the face of goal for Smith who fired in from close range!

The Leeds United lead was doubled soon after. From scoring to assisting, a pinpoint corner swung in by Smith was met by Drew Greene who headed home to extend the Whites’ advantage.

Just before the interval, Shannon Reed produced an audacious effort from distance for the away side which was met by a diving Carrie Simpson leaping across her goalline to parry away the attempt and ensure the two-goal cushion remained heading into the break.

HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 2-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients

Both sides emerged unchanged for the second 45 minutes, with Wood’s side hoping for more of the same in order to take all three points.

Shortly after play resumed, Simpson was called into action again, producing the pick of the bunch with a sublime save to deny Bianca Owens. The Norton skipper looked to chip the Leeds number one, though she acrobatically tipped the ball onto the bar at full stretch to keeping the Whites firmly in the driving seat.

Down the other end of the pitch, Smith tested Moore with a low a strike that arrowed towards the bottom left corner which was dealt with well by the stopper.

With Leeds searching for the third goal that would wrap up the tie, Woodruff met the ball on the volley from range, firing a powerful effort that narrowly sailed past Moore’s far post.

United were working tirelessly to close out the game with Darcie Greene attempting to curl an effort from distance into the top corner, with the busy Moore again on hand for the Ancients to push the ball away from danger.

From the resulting corner, Smith found herself on the end of an Ellie White cross and drilled a fierce half-volley that crashed against the crossbar.

The tie was well and truly put to bed when Alice Hughes rose highest in the box to meet Danby’s in-swinging corner and found the back of the net, putting the hosts three goals to the good!

Wood’s side's relentless nature was shown off in the dying stages as Darcie Greene and Smith went close to grabbing a fourth, before referee Ciara Barker brought proceedings to a close.

FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 3-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients