FAWNL Division One North

Leeds United Women 1 (Brown 74’)

Newcastle United Women 5 (Elson 4’ 50’, Owens 17’ 70’, Gibson 63’)

Leeds United Women: Simpson (GK), Robson, Hamill, Smart (C) (Beacock 80’), Danby (Underdown 70’), Price (Thomas 60’), Smith (Whitham 70’), Williams, Ellis, Rousseau (Astle 60’), Brown.

Newcastle United Women: Donnelly (GK) (C), Potts, Guy, Nelson (Soulsby 71’), Bailes, Gibson, Elson, Skelton, Burt, Owens (Barker 86’), Lee (Milne-Redhead 64’) Subs not used: Packham, Bell.

Venue: So-Trak Stadium, Tadcaster Albion AFC

Attendance: 374

Referee: L Whiteman

Booked: N/A

Leeds United Women were heavily beaten by title-chasing Newcastle United Women on a tough afternoon at the So-Trak Stadium.

The Whites came into the game looking to finish what has been a strong home campaign with a bang. Before today Rick Passmoor’s side had lost just twice all season at the So-Trak.

However, a strong Newcastle side proved simply too much for the Whites, scoring twice early on before extending their lead in the second half.

Leeds were given a warning in the first minute as the visitors started brightly, Rachel Lee blazed an effort over before Georgia Gibson fired straight at Carrie Simpson.

Newcastle took the lead after just four minutes as a ball over the top saw Kacie Elson race away and she made no mistake, finishing across Simpson into the bottom corner.

The Leeds keeper was in for a busy afternoon, she kept out Keira Skelton and Georgia Gibson but would be beaten again on 17 minutes, as a familiar foe in Bianca Owens headed home on 17 minutes to make it 2-0.

Simpson made another save to deny Gibson after she burst through the middle of the Leeds defence on the half hour mark, before Owens uncharacteristically wasted a golden chance four minutes later, blasting over after unselfish play from Elson.

Leeds somehow managed to keep the score at 2-0 on 37 minutes. Gibson found Erin Nelson with a lovely pass, Simpson saved but Elson looked to have converted the rebound, only for Sarah Danby to clear off the line, the ball then broke back to Elson who rounded Simpson but again Danby was on the line to block.

Leeds did enjoy a good spell before half time, Jess Rousseau had the Whites’ best effort, turning on the edge of the box before firing at goal, her shot was destined for the top corner, but she was denied by a stunning save from Grace Donnelly.

HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 0-2 Newcastle United Women

Leeds missed a golden opportunity to halve the deficit two minutes into the second half, Danby’s free-kick was headed down by Cath Hamill but Macy Ellis couldn’t connect from six yards out.

The Whites would rue that missed opportunity as three minutes later Elson made it 3-0 with the goal of the day. The Magpies winger retrieved an overhit cross before cutting inside and rifling into the top corner from a tight angle.

It was 4-0 on 63 minutes as Gibson finally got her goal, her free-kick from the left hand side sailed over everybody and into the goal.

Owens headed in her second and Newcastle’s fifth on 70 minutes, her fifth goal against Leeds this season after her hat-trick for Norton & Stockton against the Whites back in September.

Abbie Brown netted a consolation for Leeds on 74 minutes, she controlled Danielle Whitham’s pass before flicking the ball over the defenders head and converting past Donnelly for her 15^th goal of the season.

Simpson again kept the scoreline down with two more good saves before the final whistle, first she denied Elson a hat-trick, before she saved with her feet in added time to keep out substitute Katie Barker.

Leeds will look for a reaction next Sunday as they make the trip to bottom of the table Merseyrail for the final game of their FAWNL Division One North season.

FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 1-5 Newcastle United Women