Vitality Women’s FA Cup Second Round
Redcar Town Ladies 2 (Round 7', Corbyn 71')
Leeds United Women 7 (Danby 42', Woodruff 46' 84', Smith 53', Ellis 66' 70', Sykes 88')
Redcar: Thompson (Morris 67'), Nevitt (Atkinson 73'), Readman, Yeoman, Cook, Wynn, Day (Hill 54'), Power, Corbyn, Round (C), Maloney. Unused subs: Peacock, Colvin, Dunkerton, Hames.
Leeds: Simpson (GK), Robson, Hamill, Smart, Price, Smith, Whitham (Langstaff 88'), Bass (C), Brown (Ellis 62'), Woodruff, Danby (Sykes 81'). Unused subs: Williams, Beacock.
Venue: Mo Mowlam Memorial Park
Referee: O. Arakpogun
Attendance: 252
Leeds United Women booked their place in the third round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup with a convincing win over Redcar Town Ladies, in front of a record attendance of 252 at the Mo Mowlan Memorial Park.
The Whites were facing North East Regional Women’s Football League opponents for the second time in this season’s FA Cup, having already beaten South Shields 5-1 in the qualifying round.
Redcar came into the game having beaten league rivals Wallsend 2-1 in the first round and were eyeing a cup upset.
After seven minutes, that upset was on the cards. Jess Round’s stunning opener meant that this game was not plain sailing at all for Leeds, despite what the final scoreline suggests.
The Whites dominated after going behind though, Danielle Whitham almost provided an instant equaliser but her strike from the edge of the box crashed back off the crossbar.
It could have got worse for Leeds when Mary Corbyn latched onto a long ball and almost caught Carrie Simpson out with a speculative volley that clipped the outside of the post.
But, the dominance finally paid off in the closing stages of the first half for Leeds, when a moment of quality from Sarah Danby levelled the scores before half time.
HALF TIME: Redcar Town Ladies 1-1 Leeds United Women
Unlike the first half, the second started perfectly for Leeds. Amy Woodruff scored within a minute of the restart, tapping home after Danby’s shot wasn’t dealt with by the Redcar keeper.
A quick-fire third for Leeds, and the pick of the goals from the superb Kathryn Smith, saw the Whites take control of the game. After a string of set-pieces, Leeds finally made one count as Smith lashed in a left-footed volley from the edge of the box on 51 minutes.
Passmoor introduced Macey Ellis from the bench on 62 minutes, and she netted a brace within eight minutes of coming on to extend Leeds’ lead to four. First, arriving at the back post to convert Smith’s cross on 66 minutes and then tapping home on the rebound after Woodruff’s shot was parried on 70.
Redcar pulled the deficit back one by making it it 5-2, after a defensive mistake on 71 minutes, but that was a minor blemish on an otherwise ruthless second half performance from Leeds.
Woodruff continued to create dangerous moments in front of goal, and she made it 6-2 on 84 minutes, calmly finishing when one-on-one after being played through by Smith.
Smith then made it three assists on the day, setting up substitute Emily Sykes to make it seven with a clinical finish two minutes from time.
A strong second half showing from Passmoor's side saw them run out comfortable winners when the final whistle was blown, and they will now eagerly anticipate who their third round opponents will be.
FULL TIME: Redcar Town Ladies 2-7 Leeds United Women