FAWNL Cup
Middlesbrough 2 (Bell 20’, Turnbull 85’)
Leeds United 0
Boro: Wareham (GK) (C), Packham, Skelton, Towers, Bell, Wilkinson, Giles, Robson, Turnbull (Dale 90’), Maxwell, Mett. Subs not used: Cook, Guy, Foster, Harland, Ward, Burn.
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Wakeman, Legge, Smart (C), Price, Danby, Woodruff, Smith, Langstaff, Greene, Gibrill-Keating (Dias 81’). Subs not used: Lockwood, Waldron.
Referee: Ethan Nundy
Booked: Smith, Gibrill-Keating (Leeds)
Venue: MAP Group UK Stadium
Leeds United Women travelled north on Sunday afternoon, to take on Middlesbrough FC Women in the FA Women’s National League Cup.
It was the second time the team had met so far this season, with the earlier league meeting coming in West Yorkshire. An entertaining clash in that one saw the Reds score a late winner.
Attentions turned to the cup for this encounter, after both teams had successfully navigated the early rounds of the competition to reach this stage, however, it was the end of the road for the Whites after Boro scored in each half to secure progression into the next round.
Simon Wood’s side had injury issues to deal with and that meant rotation in the North East, giving opportunities to younger players within the squad to impress the boss with a busy fixture schedule coming up.
When the game began, Wood’s side settled quickly in the opening 10 minutes. Darcie Greene, Amy Woodruff and Sian Gibrill-Keating all looked to run in behind the defence and cause problems.
Harriet Jakeman was the first of the visitors to have a real chance on goal, she saw her effort from a tight angle cleared off the line. At the other end, Lauren Robson was the danger for the hosts, she stung the palms of Carrie Simpson with an early strike of her own.
With the first dangerous attack for the hosts, the deadlock was broken in the 20th minute. Seeing an opportunity to shoot from just outside the box, Millie Bell did so, and found the back of the net for Boro to put them ahead.
Looking to respond as the game approached the interval, Sarah Danby worked space well and turned onto her left-foot, before shooting narrowly wide of the top corner. Abbie Langstaff also had a chance of her own, but Laura Wareham saved comfortably in the Boro goal.
When the whistle sounded for the break, the hosts went into their changing room with a one-goal advantage in what had been a well contested half.
HALF TIME: Middlesbrough 1-0 Leeds United
Back out for the second half at the MAP Group UK Stadium, both teams knew they needed a big 45 minutes to try and secure progression into the next round of the FAWNL Cup.
It had been a scrappy first 15 minutes since the restart, with stoppages in play going the way of the home side as they were awarded set-play opportunities.
Both Kath Smith and Gibrill-Keating were penalised for early fouls and in doing so, the referee showed the pair a yellow card apiece, meaning they had to be on alert for the remaining 30 minutes.
With them having a goal advantage, the hosts were happy to retain possession and stay in their shape, looking to hold onto the lead. As the minutes ticked down, the Whites were beginning to take more risks and push Boro back into their own half, but the home defence was standing firm.
Inside the final 10 minutes, academy product Yonah Dias was introduced from the bench. She joined the attack, replacing fellow academy graduate Gibrill-Keating, who had worked hard throughout for her side.
With five minutes to play, a burst forward into the box from Ellen Turnbull saw the forward go down in the area and a penalty was awarded. Robson stepped up for the hosts, but Simpson guessed the right way and made an excellent save.
The home side weren’t to be denied their second moments later though. Turnbull again caused the issues and this time did shoot, finding the far corner and doubling the lead, sending Boro through to the next round.
Leeds will now be back in action next Sunday, when they return to a league clash, travelling away from home to face Cheadle Town.
FULL TIME: Middlesbrough 2-0 Leeds United
