FAWNL Division One North
Newcastle United Women 6 (Barker 4’, Elson 11’, 17’, 36’, Spraggan 90+1’, Ferguson 90+2’)
Leeds United Women 2 (Smart 42’, Danby 85’)
Newcastle: Donnelly (GK), Cochrane (C), Harland (Skelton 61’), Guy (Ferguson 84’), Watt, Packham, Missen, Barker, Elson (Spraggan 84’), Robson (Wilkinson 84’), Nelson. Subs not used: Spark.
Leeds: Wattam (GK), Bass (Robson 58’). Hamill (C), Hannon, Ramsden, Hunt (Underdown 46’), Smith, Hindle, Smith, Williams (Bartup 46’), Danby. Subs not used: Joyce.
Referee: E. Culling
Venue: Northumbria University
Newcastle claimed the three points at a sun-drenched Northumbria University on Sunday afternoon, hitting six goals against the Whites in the process.
Leeds went into the game hoping to halt Newcastle’s progress but found themselves one down after just four minutes when Katie Barker charged down a Georgia Wattam clearance and tap into an empty net.
Kacie Elson made it two seven minutes later after prodding home from a corner in what had been a fast start by the hosts.
Leeds looked to respond and nearly found a way back into the match through Paige Williams, when the winger dipped a shot just wide of the post.
However, in what had been a rough start for Leeds, Elson then grabbed her second and Newcastle’s third by firing in low past Wattam.
Barker then headed just over for the hosts before Smart forced a save from the Newcastle keeper as the chances continued to be exchanged at both ends.
Elson didn’t make any mistake with her next effort to continue her clinical touch in the match, grabbing her hat trick after 36 minutes and all but securing the points inside the first half.
However, Leeds continued to push forward and were in desperate search of something positive to take in the break. Olivia Smart pulled one back from a brilliant free kick to give the Whites some hope.
HALF TIME: Newcastle United Women 4-1 Leeds United Women
Leeds started the second half brightly with captain Cath Hamill heading just wide as they looked to reduce the deficit in the second 45 minutes in Northumbria.
At the other end, Beth Guy lobbed one just over for the hosts when well placed, as attacks continued to be frequent at either end.
Wattam then made a brilliant one handed save to deny Nelson before Laura Bartup headed just wide for Leeds.
After Guy had shot just wide for the hosts, Leeds pulled another back through a fine finish from Sarah Danby, volleying in after a great knock down from Kathryn Smith to bring the away side within two goals.
Further chances came as Bartup blazed over when well placed at the back post, and Smith was presented with a chance of her own inside the penalty area, which wasn’t taken either.
With Leeds pushing everyone forward in the final seconds, Newcastle continued to show a clinical touch by adding two more to the score line. Substitutes Georgina Spraggan and Becky Ferguson both found the net to ensure a 6-2 win for the second placed side.
FULL TIME: Newcastle United Women 6-2 Leeds United Women
