FAWNL Division One North  

Durham Cestria 2 (Nicholson 15’, Wilson 55’)

Leeds United Women 0

Durham Cestria: King (GK), Knowles (C), Wilson, Elliott, Turnbull, Nicholson (Giles 69’), Atkinson (Dale 86’), Pritchard, Mackie, Greenwood, Burn. Subs not used: Richardson, Donald, Bell. 

Leeds United Women: Simpson (GK), Smart, Hamill, Hannon, Elliot (Hindle 70’), Danby, Underdown (Price 62’), Williams (Ellis 62’), Smith, Rousseau, Brown.

Venue: Maiden Castle, Durham University

Referee: D McCall

Booked: Pritchard (Durham) Hindle (Leeds)

Leeds United Women fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Durham Cestria on Sunday afternoon.

Two stunning goals from Erin Nicholson and Ella Wilson were enough for the hosts as Leeds couldn’t break down Cestria’s resolute defence, much like when the two sides met at the So-Trak Stadium in November.

The win for the hosts keeps their title charge alive and sees them complete a full season unbeaten at home, where they have conceded only six goals in the FA Women’s National League Division One North.

Rick Passmoor named an unchanged starting eleven from Thursday night’s victory over Hull City, after goals from Abbie Brown (2), Cath Hamill, Jess Rousseau and Sarah Danby helped the Whites to a 5-3 victory to put an end to their three-game winless run.

Passmoor will also have been pleased to welcome Macy Ellis back into the squad after she recovered from an ankle injury that had seen her miss the last three games.

A cagey start to the game saw neither side really gain control of the game, there was half chances at both ends in the first ten minutes, with Poppy Pritchard firing over for Durham and Brown seeing an effort well claimed by Cestria keeper Anna King.

The hosts did have a golden opportunity on 11 minutes when Hannah Greenwood’s shot was blocked by Bridie Hannon but fell kindly to Jordan Atkinson in the box, but the Durham number nine snatched at the chance and Carrie Simpson was able to make a comfortable save.

Durham were ahead on 15 minutes though, when a real moment of quality from Nicholson broke the deadlock. The midfielder picked up a loose ball 25 yards from goal and struck a sweet left-footed half volley that looped over Carrie Simpson.

Leeds responded well to going behind though and enjoyed a good spell of pressure, which saw them threaten the Durham goal with a series of set pieces, although King remained relatively untroubled.

The Whites battled and remained well in the game but couldn’t break down Cestria’s resolute back line before half time and the hosts took their 1-0 lead into the break.

HALF TIME: Durham Cestria 1-0 Leeds United Women

The Whites enjoyed a positive spell at the start of the second half, using possession well and getting full-backs Olivia Smart and Izzy Elliot into forward positions, but the Whites hopes of an equaliser were squashed on 55 minutes as Durham doubled their lead.

It was another stunning strike too, as Ella Wilson took aim from range and found the corner of Simpson’s net with a brilliant left-footed effort.

Leeds continued to enjoy their fair share of possession in the second half but simply couldn’t break a well-drilled Cestria down.

Rousseau managed Leeds’ best efforts of the second half, firing over after twice getting in down the left-channel in the last ten minutes, but she couldn’t find a reward for another tireless performance up front.

Ultimately, the Whites fell just short despite a spirited display against the league leaders, as it seemed everything they threw at Durham was either headed away by centre halves Jen Knowles or Megan Elliott, or caught by keeper King.

Leeds are back in action on Wednesday evening with a Yorkshire derby under the lights at the So-Trak Stadium as they host Barnsley.

FULL TIME: Durham Cestria 2-0 Leeds United Women