Women’s FA Cup Third Round Qualifying

Mancunian Unity 3 (Mitchell 25’, Jardine 61’, Shaw 68’)

Leeds United Women 1 (Smith pen 7’)

Mancunian Unity: Reid (GK), Russell, Mitchell (Kelly 79’), Jardine (Payton 82’), Melecio, Ince, Shaw (Barnes 79’), McVean, Etchells (C), Parker, Gordon. Subs not used: Bamber, Mackie, Siddle, Jones.

Leeds: Simpson (GK), Legge, Smart (C), Danby, Dobson, Smith (Hughes 78’), Price (Langstaff 59’), Waldron (Jakeman 78’), Greene, Gibrill-Keating (Dias 90’), Guy. Subs not used: Lockwood (GK), Ogley.

Referee: Charlotte Ivens

Booked: Ince (Mancunian Unity)

Venue: Vestacare Stadium

Leeds United exited the Women’s FA Cup after falling to defeat away against Mancunian Unity, despite leading through Kath Smith’s early goal in Oldham.

An even affair in the first few minutes as both sides enjoyed spells of possession, the hosts had the first opportunity of the match when winger Sadie Mitchell raced in behind the Whites’ backline, dragging an effort narrowly wide of Carrie Simpson’s far post.

Down the other end, United attacked and Sian Gibrill-Keating was sent tumbling inside the area under a clumsy challenge from a yellow shirt leaving referee Charlotte Ivens with no option other than to point to the spot.

In similar fashion to last weekend’s victory over Cheadle Town, up stepped Smith to drill a powerful spot kick beyond Olivia Reid in the home side’s goal to put Leeds into the lead!

With Simon Wood’s side in the ascendency, Gibrill-Keating thought she had doubled United’s lead as she rose highest to meet a dangerous Olivia Smart cross and found the back of the net with a looping header, only to see the assistant’s flag go up for an offside against the forward.

Simpson’s services were called upon as the game ticked over the 20-minute mark, with the Leeds number one making a superb one-on-one save to deny forward Celeste Gordon’s well struck effort.

Moments later, midfielder Liz Ince glanced wide from a corner for the hosts as momentum began to shift in the first half.

The equaliser came when Mitchell finished confidently into the far corner beyond Simpson. The winger had latched onto a long ball down the right and kept her composure to fire home and level proceedings.

Looking to retake the lead before the break, Gibrill-Keating profited on a defensive mix up from Phil Burke’s side and charged into the area but, from a narrow angle, the forward lashed her effort wide of the near post.

On the stroke of half-time, Sarah Danby’s dangerous set-piece was met by the hard-working Gibrill-Keating, although the forward was unable to guide her header on target.

Moments before referee Ivens brought the opening 45 minutes to a close, the onrushing Leoni Price was picked out superbly by Darcie Greene on the penalty spot, but great defending from a yellow shirt saw the midfielder’s effort blocked and the hosts survived.

HALF TIME: Mancunian Unity 1-1 Leeds United Women

Wood’s side started the second half brightly, with a thunderous long-distance strike from new signing Beth Guy having Reid scampering across her goal, only for the effort to sail wide of the upright.

Smart then floated in an enticing cross from the right which Gibrill-Keating glanced towards goal, forcing Reid into a fine diving save at full stretch to keep the scores level.

Greene was the next Leeds player to go close, marauding into the area from the left flank and drilling wide as she looked to pick out the top corner.

On the hour mark and against the run of play, Unity midfielder Millie Jardine put the hosts into the lead with a well taken finish that nestled in the corner beyond the dive of Simpson.

Looking for an immediate response, the Whites were awarded an in-direct free kick after an incident inside the area. Smith laid the ball off for Ellie Dobson to strike, but charged down by a line of yellow shirts, the versatile midfielder couldn’t direct her effort on target.

Moments later, Liv Shaw extended Mancunian Unity’s lead with an intricate chip over Simpson after good play down the right had created space for the forward in the middle.

Despite Leeds dominating possession as they searched for a route back into the game, the home side’s defence stood firm as they booked their spot in the next round of the competition.

FULL TIME: Mancunian Unity 3-1 Leeds United Women