Women’s FA Cup
Leeds United Women 2 (Darcie Greene 73’, Sanderson 90')
Norton & Stockton Ancients 0
Leeds: Mears (GK), Legge (C), Watson (Darcie Greene 14’), Cassidy, Hughes, Sanderson (Coley 90'), Dixon, Woodruff, Harris (Graham 90'), Millard, Spencer-Smith (Smith 74’). Subs not used: Oates (GK), Drew Greene, Dean.
Norton: Wareham (GK), Rae, Burton, West, Millward (Watson 79’), Owens (C), Atkinson, Leech (West 79’), Green, Jamieson (Forster 79’), Marshall. Subs not used: Valentine (GK), Coyle, Homan.
Venue: BD Community Stadium | Attendance: 218 | Referee: Leigh Gell| Bookings: Green, Owens (Norton)
Leeds United Women were victorious in an FA Cup Second Round tie against familiar opponents Norton & Stockton Ancients thanks to Darcie Greene and Brittany Sanderson's late goals.
There were two changes to the Leeds side that defeated Durham Cestria last time out, with Emily Cassidy and Chloe Dixon returning to the starting XI.
Captain Shauna Legge had to be alert in the opening stages to prevent Norton from making an early breakthrough, crucially stepping in to block an effort from Bianca Owens on the edge of the area.
Looking for an opening of their own, Leeds came forward shortly after, winning a corner which was delivered into the goalmouth and forced Norton to scramble clear.
Ava Spencer-Smith was then first to Amy Woodruff’s flick-on as she broke into the area, but her effort was dragged straight into the gloves of Laura Wareham.
Following good work down the right flank from Alayna Millard, the full-back delivered a cross towards an unmarked Woodruff on the penalty spot, who acrobatically volleyed narrowly over the bar.
Seeking to break the deadlock just past the half-hour mark, Spencer-Smith found room to get a shot away but sent her effort narrowly wide of the target.
Playing some slick counter-attacking football, the Whites then broke forward through Alice Hughes, who played Spencer-Smith in behind.
The ball ricocheted back towards the midfielder, but her subsequent effort rebounded into the grateful arms of the goalkeeper.
Despite a lively final five minutes of the half, neither side could find the back of the net as the referee sounded her whistle for the break.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 0-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients
Chloe Dixon had the first opportunity of the second half, driving through the centre of the park before letting fly, but her effort only found the advertising hoardings.
Continuing to cause problems for the visitors, Dixon then played a neat one-two with Ella Harris before attempting to pick out the far corner. Her effort instead curled towards goal, forcing Wareham to gather.
Following a sustained spell of possession, Leeds combined well, with Darcie Greene finding herself through on goal but unable to get a shot away. Hughes and Woodruff then linked up, with the former sliding in to shoot but sending her effort wide.
The Whites finally found the breakthrough just after the 73rd minute, with some excellent transition play culminating in the opening goal.
Woodruff received the ball outside the box before driving forward and finding Dixon in space. The winger laid it off to the overlapping Darcie Greene, who fired through the goalkeeper's legs to make it 1-0.
Sanderson tried her luck from distance as the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes, but her effort was straight at Wareham.
As the game moved into added time, Leeds had to show defensive resilience to deal with a dangerous free-kick and the resulting long throw.
With seconds to go, Sanderson drove through the heart of the Norton defence before cutting past her marker and firing into the top corner to guarantee to win.
The result books Leeds' place in the Third Round draw of the Women's FA Cup, with the draw taking place on Monday 16 November.
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 2-0 Norton & Stockton Ancients
