Stockport County 0-2 Leeds United Women

Leeds United women advanced in the Vitality FA Cup after defeating fellow Division One North side Stockport County.

Second half strikes from Holly Findlay and Olivia Smart secured Leeds’ place in the third qualifying round, where they travel to Barnsley.

Leeds started brightly with Molly Havard causing problems down the left. In the third minute she evaded two tackles before smashing the ball across the face of goal, Laura Bartup couldn’t quite get on to it at the back post.

Stockport quickly gained control of the game though and went on to dominate the first half.

Lauren Davies came close for the hosts with a long-range strike on 37 minutes, before Maria Figueiredo forced Leeds keeper Kirsty Johnson into a fine double save two minutes later.

Neither side could find the breakthrough before half time though.

HALF TIME: Stockport 0-0 Leeds United Women

Leeds started the second half on top and were awarded a penalty on 55 minutes when the ball struck the hand of Levi Chambers-Cook. Laura Bartup stepped up but saw her effort saved brilliantly by Jess Linford.

The visitors didn’t let that affect them and broke the deadlock five minutes later through a stunning half-volley from Holly Findlay. The ball broke on the edge of the box and Findlay lashed it into the top corner.

Leeds made it 2-0 on 78 minutes. Olivia Smart’s free-kick from the left touchline sailed over Linford and into the back of the net.

Abbie Brown came close to making it three with a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but it whistled just wide of the post.

FULL TIME: Stockport 0-2 Leeds United Women

Next up for the Whites is Bradford away in the league on Tuesday night.

Stockport County: Linford, Chambers-Cook, Carrington, Howard, F. Davies (C), Reeves, L. Davies, Figueiredo, Battle, Douglas, Newby

Subs: Charlton, Wild, Bradshaw, Topping, Goodwin

Leeds United Women: Johnson, Jeffels, Hannon (C), Hunter, Findlay, Hughes, Havard, Bartup, Nolan, Smart, Hill

Subs: Hewson, Brown, Breen, R. Hunt, K. Hunt, Ash.