Norton Ladies 2 B Owens 62 (P), 83

Leeds United Women 1 Bartup 28

   

It was late heartbreak for Leeds United Women, as Norton Ladies came from behind to win the opening fixture of the new season. 

   

The start of the 2020-21 campaign saw Leeds on the attack from the off with Olivia Smart firing just wide after four minutes. Debutant Laura Bartup, a summer signing from Barnsley, was next up, forcing Chisnall into a smart save before heading just wide.

  

The hosts had their first sight of the Leeds goal when Bianca Owens floated a free kick narrowly wide, before Leeds took the lead when Bartup fired home from 20 yards.

   

Bartup nearly made it two, shooting just over before Aaliyah Nolan, also making her debut for Leeds, was denied by a smart save when clean through.

  

   

Norton came out strong in the second half, Tierney firing just over, before Leeds almost doubled their lead through Abbie Brown, who was denied by a fine save, and Rebecca Hunt who headed just wide.

   

As the game wore on, Leeds continued to enjoy chances, but Norton levelled from the spot in the 62nd minute; Bianca Owens converting after Lily Patrick was felled in the area.

   

Leeds pushed for the winner, with Alice Hughes seeing her header cleared off the line, before Millie Ash was denied by a fine save.

   

With seven minutes left on the clock, Norton pounced and took the lead after Bianca Owens headed in a free kick.

   

Try as they might, Leeds couldn’t force an equaliser and ended up on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline.

  

Norton Ladies: Chisnall, Coyle, McGuire (Bell 68), Tierney, Williams, Atkinson, Reed (Basnet 56), B Owens (Johnson 87), G Owens, Patrick, Thompson: Subs not used: McSorley, Millward

Leeds United Women: Kirkham, Hewson, Hamill, Hunter, Smart, Hughes, Findlay (K Hunt 77), Brown (Ash 77), R Hunt, Bartrup, Nolan (Breen 62), : Subs not used: Johnson, Hill

   

Venue: Station Road

Referee: J Arrowsmith