Leeds United Women fall to 3-0 defeat in FA Cup

Leeds United Women fall to 3-0 defeat in FA Cup

Barnsley progress to the next round at The Whites' expense

Leeds United Women 0

Barnsley Women 3 D. Greene (62) Woodhouse (91) Ward (93)

 

Despite a spirited performance, Leeds United Women fell to a defeat against Barnsley in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round.

Barnsley, who sit top of the National League Division One North, started brightly and had a couple of set-piece opportunities in the opening quarter of an hour. Neither troubled Georgia Wattam in the Leeds goal though.

After that Leeds gained control of the game and were playing the better football, Molly Cawthorn’s cross-come-shot clipped the bar on 23 minutes and Rebecca Hunt had a penalty appeal turned down when her shot was blocked minutes later.

Emily Cassidy was dictating play from her deep midfield role, on the half-hour mark, her brilliant diagonal ball set Leeds away. Pascale Postel cut the ball back for Olivia Smart but she couldn’t hit the target with a shot from outside the box.

Leeds were getting a lot of joy down the right-hand side with Cawthorn and Holly Findlay linking up well, and it was down that side where Leeds created the best opening of the first half – Abby Brown was played in but couldn’t beat Barnsley keeper Bethan Davies who saved with her legs.

Half Time: Leeds United Women 0-0 Barnsley Women

The Whites were looking to start the second half where they left off in the first, they came close from a set piece when the ball fell to Jodie Hunter in the box, but her shot was well saved by Davies.

This was a wake-up call for Barnsley who stepped it up from there on in. Laura Bartup threatened with two free-kicks, the second of which hit the post.

Two minutes later, the visitors found the breakthrough. A wicked delivery from the right was met by Drew Greene who fired Barnsley into the lead from close range.

Leeds piled the pressure on to get back in the game but were caught short at the back on 91 minutes when Melissa Woodhouse doubled the lead, and on 93 minutes Barnsley added a third when Annie Ward converted from a corner.

The scoreline flattered Barnsley, it was a very tight game which Leeds were unlucky to end up on the wrong side of. Nevertheless, a performance that the Whites can be proud of and build on in the league.

Full Time: Leeds United Women 0-3 Barnsley Women

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