FAWNL Division One North

Leeds United Women 2 (Bartup 19’ pen, Danby 55’)

Middlesbrough Women 0

Leeds: Handy (GK), Bass (C), Smart, Hamill, Danby, Smith, Hannon, Bartup (Underdown 90’), Whitham (Price 74’), Ellis, Woodruff (Elliott 74’). Subs not used: Promfret (GK), Robson.

Boro: Dunn (GK), H. Robson, Bartlett, A. Robson, Newton, Laverick, Ward, Marshall (Foster 64’), Mett (Harland 58’), Dawson (Ormerod 72’), Maxwell. Subs not used: Serginson. 

Venue: So-Trak Stadium

Referee: Charlie Ford

Booked: Bartup (Leeds)

Leeds United Women were back on home turf in Sunday’s FA Women’s National League Division One North clash against Middlesbrough Women, at Tadcaster’s So-Trak Stadium. 

A professional display from Rick Passmoor’s side saw them create a number of chances throughout, as they scored a goal in each half to continue their 100 per cent home record with a 2-0 success. 

The Whites came into the game having won both matches on home turf, most recently overcoming Stockport County Ladies with a 4-0 thumping under the lights in midweek. 

Boro arrived for this fixture having won two from two so far, after being relegated from the division above last season. The Reds had also scored four in their last outing - so goals were expected in this one.  

When the match got underway, it was the hosts that had the first chance of the match with Danielle Whitham heading an Amy Woodruff cross just wide. 

Leeds then came close again to taking the lead when Macy Ellis had her shot saved, but an even better chance would then arrive from the rebound, as Laura Bartup was brought down for a penalty.  

The striker dusted herself down to put the spot kick away and give Leeds the lead on 19 minutes, slotting home to the ‘keepers left and leaving her wrong-footed.

Rick Passmoor’s side kept pushing with the lively Woodruff having her shot held by Kayley Dunn, before  Whitham almost made it two but fired over from a Bartup cross. 

The visitors had their first chance of the game when Simone Laverick headed just wide from a corner, before the Whites were within inches of doubling the lead when an ambitious effort from Kathryn Smith from 30-yards out landed on top of the net. 

Olivia Smart - who missed the Stockport County win on Wednesday night through injury - had her low drive tipped round the post for a corner. Moments later, Bartup would be denied twice, once with a header cleared off the line then when she did find the net again, the offside flag would deny her this time!

There were no further goals before the break and the Whites went into their dressing room with a more than deserved lead, but knowing they could have scored more.  

HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 1-0 Middlesbrough Women 

Neither team made a change when coming out for the start of the second half at the So-Trak Stadium, with Leeds still having their one-goal advantage in the match. 

It was more of the same after the restart as Leeds kept pressing, and that effort would see them get the second goal which their play deserved.

The ball found the bottom corner of the net when Sarah Danby poked home despite the efforts of the Middlesbrough keeper, after a brilliant cross from Rebekah Bass in the build-up. 

🔥 "Danby! Free-flowing football!" pic.twitter.com/M0FBrraxwl

— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 4, 2022

The Whites kept searching for a third goal that would put the game to bed and it was Bartup who had long range strike spilled by the Dunn, but she gathered at the second attempt.  

With 10 minutes to go, Danby cut in from the left and had her low drive palmed away by Dunn as she looked for another, as Smart then tried her luck from distance only to see her drive held by the keeper. 

The league action will now take a break next weekend, as Leeds make the journey up to face York City Ladies in the League Cup next up.

FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 2-0 Middlesbrough Women