South Shields Women 1 (Pierce 67’)
Leeds United Women 5 (Hannon 33’, Danby 36’ pen, Whitham 44’, Nolan 52’, Smart 76’)
South Shields: Gowans, McMahon, Pierce, May, Innes, Archbold, Pedersen, Dryden (Robinson 63’), Gatens, Wooten, Ali. Subs not used: Willams-Brown, White.
Leeds: Simpson, Robson, Hamill, Hannon (C), Smart, Whitham, Price, Williams, Ellis (Keating 61’), Nolan (Underdown 73’), Danby. Subs not used: Smith, Hindle.
Venue: 1st Cloud Arena
Referee: D Mitchell
Booked: Ali, May (South Shields) Hannon (Leeds United)
Leeds United produced a clinical and professional display away at South Shields, to book a place in the next round of the Women’s FA Cup.
The Whites came into the game knowing they would need to be on top of their game despite playing a side a division below them, South Shields had won all seven of their fixtures in all competitions so far this season.
Rick Passmoor made three changes from the side that drew with York in midweek; Savanah Robson, Leoni Price and Nolan coming in for Rachel Hindle, Kathryn Smith and Abbie Brown.
The Whites were in control of the tie before half time after goals from Bridie Hannon and Danielle Whitham either side of a Sarah Danby penalty.
Nolan and Olivia Smart both netted in the second half to complete the rout, with South Shields’ consolation coming from Katie Pierce.
The visitors asserted their dominance from the start but couldn’t make early chances count and had to wait for their opener until after the half hour mark.
The Whites breakthrough eventually came through captain Bridie Hannon on 32 minutes, Smart’s corner deep to the back post was met by Hannon who managed to bundle the ball home to make it 1-0.
The floodgates opened then and Leeds made it 2-0 just four minutes later, Nolan was fouled in the box and Danby stepped up to confidently double Leeds’ lead.
It was 3-0 before half time when Whitham finished off a lovely move with a low drive from the edge of the area.
HALF TIME: South Shields Women 0-3 Leeds United Women
The hosts started the second half brightly with top scorer Eve Gatens trying her luck from range twice but failing to trouble Carrie Simpson in the Leeds goal.
Leeds quickly regained control of the game though and made it 4-0 on 52 minutes when Nolan got on the end of a through ball from Savanah Robson, the forward twisted and turned before firing into the bottom corner, giving the keeper no chance.
The hosts pulled a goal back in controversial fashion on 67 minutes, Katie Pierce firing in from distance despite Natalie May’s clear foul on Price in the middle of the park.
Smart rounded off the scoring on 76 minutes with the goal of the game, a superb curling free-kick from 25 yards.
Leeds are back in action next Sunday when they face Solihull Moors in the League Cup plate at Tadcaster as they look to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.
FULL TIME: South Shields Women 1-5 Leeds United Women
