FA WNL Division One North
Leeds United Women 3 (Woodruff 3’, Drew Greene 23’, Darcie Greene 89’)
York City Ladies 0
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Legge, Smart (C), Hughes, Dobson, Smith (Langstaff 87’), Drew Greene (Jakeman 84’), Woodruff, Darcie Greene (Waldron 90’), Gibrill-Keating (Danby 46’), Guy. Subs not used: Oates (GK).
York: Sidwell (GK), Trickett, Brierley (Hayhurst 90’), Cattle, Smith, Ramsden (Shaw 80’), Astle, Rolandsen (C), Singleton (Ash 67’), Underdown, Hendrick-Eastwood (Sykes 31’). Subs not used: Gore.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 4,801
Referee: Lee Hurst
Booked: Smart (Leeds) Rolandsen (York)
Leeds United Women made it six wins on the bounce in FA WNL Division One North with an impressive 3-0 victory over York City Ladies at Elland Road.
In front of nearly 5,000 fans inside the iconic stadium, well taken goals from Amy Woodruff, Drew Greene and Darcie Greene proved the difference for the hosts on what was a memorable afternoon in LS11.
The Whites got off to a dream start when Woodruff won back possession inside the opposition half and drove at the heart of the York defence.
Her clever cross-field pass found the run of Kath Smith on the left flank. Darting into the area, the midfielder’s dangerous delivery was parried out by City keeper Rebecca Sidwell into the path of Woodruff, who made no mistake to fire home from inside the area!
Simon Wood’s side, dominating proceedings as they searched for a quickfire second, then went close through Smith, though she was unable to guide an effort on target from a narrow angle as she met Sian Gibrill-Keating’s looping cross at the back post.
Woodruff then had the ball in the back of the net once more just before the 15-minute mark. The run of versatile forward Drew Greene was picked out inside the area before falling for Woodruff to tap home, only for the flag to go up for an earlier offside in the build-up.
The forward was causing all sorts of problems for the visitors and she rose highest to meet Alice Hughes’ enticing cross from the right, powering a header narrowly over the bar.
On the expansive Elland Road pitch, United were playing some superb, intricate passing and if not for Sidwell, Gibrill-Keating would have extended the hosts’ lead.
Smith’s threaded pass found the in-form forward in space on the left, stinging the palms of the York stopper as she looked to pick out the far corner.
Leeds finally reaped the rewards of the one-way traffic with little over 20 minutes on the clock to extend the advantage. There looked to be little on when Drew Greene held off her opposite number to control the ball inside the York half.
But with a skilful turn and a blistering burst of pace, the winger drove past a number of red shirts, weaving her way into the area before confidently finishing beyond Sidwell and into the back of the net!
Emily Senior’s travelling York side were keen to respond however and had a flurry of chances approaching the break.
Superb defending from Ellie Dobson prevented a certain City goal after Grace Sykes’ pass had found Katie Astle inside the area. The striker’s low shot cannoned off the foot of the post, rolling out to the feet of the onrushing Faye Singleton who looked destined to score, but great positioning from Dobson allowed the defender to make a crucial block as Leeds cleared their lines.
Singleton again had a great opportunity to halve the deficit when she found space at the back post, though the winger was unable to guide her first-time strike on target, as referee Lee Hurst brought an entertaining first half to a close.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 2-0 York City Ladies
A first change from Wood saw Sarah Danby emerge for the second 45 minutes in place of Gibrill-Keating and the midfielder was immediately involved, swinging in a precise corner kick which Dobson looked to meet, glancing wide of the far post.
Moments later, the ball fell invitingly for Smith to strike from the edge of the area on the half-volley, rifling a powerful strike towards goal that sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
On the break York still posed a threat as they searched for a lifeline and Astle, against her former club, scampered clear on the left. Under pressure from the retreating Dobson, the striker lashed a left-footed effort wide of the upright.
In a second half played at somewhat a slower tempo than the frantic opening exchanges, the Whites dominated possession as they looked to make the inroads and put the tie to bed.
Through captain Olivia Smart, United attacked down the right playing some lovely one-touch football, which eventually fell the way of Smith who drew a strong save from Sidwell in the York goal.
The keeper again had to be alert within minutes, racing out to punch clear as Darcie Greene looked to meet Woodruff’s cross at the back post, before the striker forced Sidwell into another impressive save from the edge of the area.
A clever flick from Hughes then found Smith and in turn Danby, with the latter drilling a rasping drive from 30 yards which Sidwell scampered across to push away from danger.
The Whites were playing some scintillating football in front of the bumper crowd and if not for Sidwell, the scoreline would have read very differently, again saving twice from the impressive Danby as the substitute looked to crown her lively cameo with a goal.
With one minute left of normal time remaining, Leeds would finally grab the third their play deserved and in some style. Darcie Greene, following in the footsteps of sister Drew, surged forward with the ball and played a superb one-two with Amy Woodruff to maraud into the area, finishing beyond Sidwell and into the bottom corner.
A sixth consecutive victory means the Whites go level on points with leaders Cheadle Town, with United having a game in hand on the Cheshire outfit.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 3-0 York City Ladies
