FAWNL Division One North

Barnsley Women’s 3 (Turner og 49’, Beck 71’, Watson 85’)

Leeds United Women 0

Barnsley: Clarke (C) (GK), Woodcock, Marshall, Housley, Pierrepont (Biggins 74’), Csomor (Jexoldfield 90’), Stuart, Housecroft (Shaw 84’), Beck, Millard, Watson. Subs not used: Marsden, Snelson. 

Leeds: Kirkham (GK), Smart (C), Pizzarello (Hindle 80’), Turner, Elliott, Danby, Whitham, Dobson, Smith (Jakeman 68’), Bartup (Astle 80’), Rousseau. Subs not used: Simpson (GK), Waldron. 

Venue: Sheffield Olympic Park

Attendance: 266

Referee: Mr. Z. Ahmed 

Booked: Watson (Barnsley) Danby (Leeds)

Leeds United Women travelled away from home on Sunday afternoon in a tough test, against Barnsley Women’s FC. 

The hosts sat top of the league coming into the match and were unbeaten in the 2023/24 FA Women’s National League Division One North, after a strong start to the campaign. 

Showing their early season form, the Reds started the match brightly and were on top in the opening stages. Skye Kirkham between the posts for Leeds had to be alert early on, deny Amy Beck with a good save.  

Beck had another effort go over the bar, before next up to test Kirkham was Emily Pierrepoint with a long-range free-kick. The ‘keeper stood firm again to deny her, but when she was beaten moments later. Charly Pizzarello was perfectly positioned on the line to clear the danger.

Down the opposite end, Leeds then grew into the match and were showing signs of promise. Laura Bartup and top-scorer Jess Rousseau linked up well but saw the offside deny them a good opening on more than one occasion, against Barnsley’s high line. 

Shortly before the break, Barnsley would come within inches of opening scoring. Kirkham superbly tipped the ball onto the post from Pierrepoint’s low effort, before on the follow up, Beck somehow hit the post as well from close range.

That was that before the interval and the whistle was blown to send us in level in this Yorkshire derby. 

HALF TIME: Barnsley Women’s FC 0-0 Leeds United Women 

No changes were made at the start of the second half on either side, but the scoreline did get broke quickly. Beck broke down the left wing and crossed into the box and it found the back of the net via the unfortunate touch of Lucy Turner, for an own-goal.  

The pressure continued as Pierrepoint, who was lively in the first half, showed quick feet to create a chance for herself before striking the post with a curling effort. 

In what was still a tight and hard-fought game, the next chance went to the Whites. Bartup showed her strength to create an opening for Rousseau and the striker fired narrowly over the bar. 

Next to go close was Dobson. This time Rousseau created the chance by playing the midfielder in behind, but Serena Clarke did well between the posts to deny the opportunity.

In the 72nd minute, a hopeful ball forward saw Barnsley double their lead. Amy Beck was the beneficiary by refusing to give up on the chance and toe-poking the ball beyond Kirkham into an empty net. 

With five minutes remaining, the hosts secured the three points. Natalie Watson had space on the edge of the box and struck a powerful effort into the far corner. 

Leeds will return to action next weekend in the Women’s FA Cup, taking on West Didsbury & Chorlton away from home. 

FULL TIME: Barnsley Women’s FC 3-0 Leeds United Women