Women’s FA Cup 3^rd Qualifying Round

Leeds United Women 7 (Pizzarello 6’, Elliott 10’, Rousseau 51’ 63’, Astle 58’ 66’, Smith 73’ pen)

Chester FC Women 1 (Wood 34’)

Leeds: Kirkham (GK), Jakeman (Hindle 56’), Turner, Elliott, Pizzarello, Danby, Whitham, Smith, Smart (C), Rousseau, Astle (Bartup 69’). Subs not used: Simpson (GK), Price.

Chester: Foster (GK), Dowell, Randles, Priest (C), Adderley, Locke, Wood, Lloyd (Bullock 77’), Redman (Jones 65’), Paul, Gray (Halliwell 69’). Subs not used: Hollis, Bradley, Gill.

Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium, Garforth

Attendance: 269

Referee: Craig Simmons

Leeds United Women booked their place in the Women’s FA Cup First Round Proper with an emphatic win over Chester FC. 

The Seals currently ply their trade in the North West Women’s Regional League Division One South, two tiers below Leeds. They came into the game with confidence on the back of six consecutive wins and made a good account of themselves though, despite the score line in this Third Qualifying Round clash.

Leeds started brightly and got themselves into a two-goal lead inside the first 10 minutes. Charly Pizzarello curled home a stunner on six minutes and less than three minutes later, Izzy Elliott powered home a header from a corner to double the lead.

Chester heads didn’t drop, they were still playing good football and almost halved the deficit on 17 minutes when their star player, Molly Wood rattled the Leeds crossbar after a nicely worked corner.

At the other end, Danielle Whitham saw a powerful effort beaten away by Sophie Foster, before Sarah Danby’s long-range effort was also kept out. 

Chester did get the goal that their first half efforts deserved on 34 minutes, some lovely play saw Wood released down the left and she buried her chance past Kirkham, making it six goals in her last six games.

The net wasn’t found for the remainder of the half, meaning Simon Wood’s side would take a one-goal lead into their dressing room at the interval.

HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 2-1 Chester FC Women

Just like in the first half, the Whites came out of the blocks quickly and they regained their two-goal advantage after less than six second half minutes.

Jess Rousseau twisted and turned in the box before rifling a left footed effort across Foster and into the bottom corner, moving her into double figures for the season.

On the hour mark, Leeds made it four. A stunning cross from Olivia Smart was met by Katie Astle on the stretch, who managed to poke the ball past Foster and put Leeds in real control of the game.

It was 5-1 just five minutes later, Rousseau on hand to brilliantly convert another fantastic Smart delivery into the roof of the net, as Leeds started to really turn the screw.

Chester couldn’t live with manager Wood’s side going forward and the Whites made it six on 68 minutes. Astle finished well from outside the box after Rousseau was denied her hat-trick by a last ditch tackle, allowing the forward to fire home the rebound. 

Leeds were awarded a penalty on 73 minutes, which was coolly dispatched by Kath Smith for her fifth goal of the season, making it five goals in a 22 minutes spell for the rampant hosts.

To Chester’s credit, they were still working hard across the pitch and looking to cause Leeds problems on the break.

Wood was their main outlet and she forced Kirkham into the save of the game on 88 minutes. Her curling effort was destined for the top corner before the Leeds stopper managed to get fingertips to it to push it wide.

That was the final action of the game as Leeds ran out comfortable winners, sending them into the next round of the 2023/24 Women’s FA Cup.

The Whites are back at the Bannister Prentice Stadium next Sunday as they welcome Northern Premier Division side and Yorkshire rivals, Halifax Town in the FAWNL Cup.

FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 7-1 Chester FC Women