FA Women’s National League Cup – Determining Round

Leek Town Ladies 1 (Watson 91’)

Leeds United Women 4 (Brown 39’, Rousseau 41’ 58’, Ellis 84’)

Leek Town Ladies: Cotterell (GK), Turvey, O’Reilly, Shepley (C), Rushton (Cotterill 66’)), Weston, Maya, Edwards (Henderson 66’), O’Connor, Gindra (Copeland 66’), Jacques. Subs not used: Arnold.

Leeds United Women: Simpson (GK), Jakeman, Elliot, Dobson (Beacock 80’), Pizzarello (S. Smith 80’), Danby (C), Whitham (Williams 59'), K. Smith, Ellis, Rousseau (Bartup 66’), Brown.

Venue: F Ball Community Stadium, Leek

Referee: Ethan Nundy

Booked: Weston (Leek) Elliot, Jakeman (Leeds)

Leeds United Women advanced in the FAWNL Cup with a 1-4 win away to Leek Town, thanks to goals from Abbie Brown, Jess Rousseau (2) and Macy Ellis. 

Caretaker coach Simon Wood took charge of the game, following the news of Rick Passmoor’s departure, he made just one change to the starting eleven that beat Stockport on the opening day of the season last weekend.

Ellie Dobson was handed her Leeds United debut at centre-back, after missing the opening day with a calf strain, she started in place of Olivia Smart who was unavailable. Sarah Danby captained the Whites.

Leeds started brightly, dominating from minute one and almost going ahead inside the first 10 minutes.

Danby’s corner was flicked on by Kath Smith, Dobson got free at the back post but saw her volley tipped over by Leek keeper Bethany Cottrell who denied her a dream start to her debut.

Abbie Brown had her first sight of goal on 15 minutes, stinging the palms of Cottrell with a drive from just outside the box.

The Whites came close again from a set piece two minutes later, Danby’s deliveries were proving dangerous, she found the head of Smith again, but she headed wide.

Leek’s only real threat of the first half came on 28 minutes when Jennifer Jacques was played through, she tried to lob Carrie Simpson but the Leeds stopper stood up tall to save.

Leeds kept pushing for the opener, Danielle Whitham saw a long range effort well held by Cottrell before Brown was played in by Danby but Cottrell denied her with her feet.

The breakthrough finally came on 39 minutes, Danby’s curling free-kick was spilled by Cottrell, Rousseau reacted first to loft the ball to the back post where Brown was there to nod home.

The Whites made it two just two minutes later, Rousseau racing down the left before drilling across Cottrell into the bottom corner, a textbook striker’s finish.

Leeds really could have had the game wrapped up before half time as they ramped up the pressure on the hosts, Ellis and Rousseau both had 1v1 opportunities before the break but were thwarted by Cottrell.

HALF TIME: Leek Town Ladies 0-2 Leeds United Women

Leeds set out to kill the game off in the second half, Brown will have been disappointed she didn’t do better with a chance on 52 minutes after some great work down the left from Charlyann Pizzarello.

The third did come for Leeds on 58 minutes, a brilliant pass from Smith found Harriet Jakeman in the box but the right back saw her effort hit the post, Rousseau spared her blushes though, pouncing to net her brace and make it 0-3.

Ellis extended Leeds’ advantage further on 84 minutes with a goal that her performance deserved. Substitute Paige Williams feeding the winger who raced clear and slotted into the bottom corner to make it 0-4.

The scoring wasn’t done there as Leek grabbed a consolation in added time, Shannon Watson profiting from a loose pass and smashing in a stunning strike from 25 yards.

The Whites return to league action next Sunday as they make the trip to Doncaster Belles.

FULL TIME: Leek Town Ladies 1-4 Leeds United Women