Vitality Women’s FA Cup

Hartlepool United 0

Leeds United 4 (Bartup 36’, Brown 47’, Own-goal 51’, Williams 88’) 

Hartlepool: Podziute (GK), M. Foster, Stuart, Robinson, Borthwick, Pye, Keogh, Kissicka, Smith, Cutcher, Robinson. Subs: Leech, Johnson, Burke, Staines, Hattack, R. Foster, Gray. 

Leeds: Joyce (GK), Bass, Hannon, Hamill (c), Smart, K. Hunt (R. Hunt 53’), Smith, Pearson (Hunter 53’), Brown, Soares-Martins, Bartup (Williams 53’). Subs: Wattam (GK). 

Dan O’Hearne oversaw his Leeds United Women side as they cruised into the Second Round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup. 

Travelling up to the North-East to face lower league opposition, O’Hearne had warned his side in the build-up to respect their opponents who would raise their game, and they certainly did so. 

The opening exchanges of the match saw both teams looking to attack early on and there were half-chances at either end, but neither ‘keeper were tested inside 15 minutes. 

When Leeds did string a solid attack together, the linesman’s flag denied them an opener. Sandra Soares-Martins turned the ball home at close range after a scramble inside the area, but she was deemed to be offside. 

Going close shortly after, Olivia Smart’s dangerous free-kick causes issues, but Dominyka Podziute in the Hartlepool goal stood firm to deny the Whites an opener, in what would become a string of impressive saves from the ‘keeper, as she then saved well from Soares-Martins seconds later.

A familiar name would open the scoring before the interval, though. Laura Bartup netted her 15th goal of a stunning goal-scoring campaign up to now, by powerfully heading home Smart’s pinpoint cross into the box. 

The goal was what O’Hearne’s side had deserved after dominating throughout the majority of the half and there was little response from the home side before the interval, meaning Leeds took the one-goal advantage in at the break. 

HALF TIME: Hartlepool United 0-1 Leeds United

The Whites came out in the second half refreshed and looking to make the scoreline more comfortable, as they aimed to progress into the next round of the cup. 

It would take just two minutes for the lead to be extended, as the tricky Abbie Brown collected the ball in the middle of the pitch, progressed towards goal and curled home beautifully with her right-foot to make it two-nil.

Just the four minutes had then passed before the Whites had their third of the game and all but secured their safe passage through. It was Brown again with the superb run, dazzling her way into the box before her dangerous cross into the six-yard box was turned into the back of the net via a Hartlepool deflection. 

Leeds were now firmly on top and with very little attacking opportunities coming for Hartlepool, it was to be a long half for the hosts, who never gave up the fight in this cup tie. 

Having come on from the bench, Paige Williams was causing issues as the game drew to a close down the right-flank, and her hard work paid off by getting the final goal of the game. 

Once again, Brown was the architect as she had been throughout most of the match. The winger ran down the left-hand channel and crossed into the box, where Williams had timed her run perfectly to slide the ball home at the back post and make it four.

It was close to five when Rebekah Bass thundered an effort towards the top-corner, but at full-stretch Podziute tipped over the bar. The full-time whistle sounded shortly after and sent Leeds United Women into Monday’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup draw for the Second Round. 

FULL TIME: Hartlepool United Women 0-4 Leeds United Women 

Venue: Graysfield Enclosure, Hartlepool.

Referee: Steven Birkett