Report: Leeds United Women 4-2 Doncaster Rovers Belles
Yorkshire derby delight.
FAWNL Division One North
Leeds United Women 4 (Rousseau 18’ 74’, Smith 56’, Danby 76’)
Doncaster Rovers Belles 2 (Gigg 26’, Saxton 37’)
Leeds United Women: Megeary (GK) Smart (C), Dobson, Turner, Pizzarello, Hughes, Price (Elliot 62’), Smith (Astle 80’), Danby, Gibrill-Keating (Hindle 86’), Rousseau (Jakeman 89’). Subs not used: Kirkham (GK), Jakeman.
Doncaster Rovers Belles: Sharpe (GK), Johnson, Housley, Abadi (Sneddon 71’), Rattenbury (Broadhurst 81’), Tugby-Andrew (C), Gigg, Saxton, McWilliams (Morris 71’), Tugby-Andrew, Breen (Barlow 78’). Subs not used: Johnson.
Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium
Referee: Chris Lawson
Booked: Breen, Abadi (Doncaster)
Leeds United Women were back in action for the first time in 2024 against South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers Belles, in the FA Women’s National League Division One North.
Leeds United Women dominated the opening stages of the game. The constant pressure paid off in the 18th minute when Jess Rousseau was played through one-on-one with Ellie Sharpe and her first shot was saved, but she was quickest to react to the rebound to place her effort into the back of the net!
A minute later and Leeds almost doubled their lead. Rousseau played a smart pass out to Alice Hughes who rifled her first-time strike narrowly past the post.
The lead didn’t last long as Doncaster Rovers Belles levelled 10 minutes later. Izzy Gigg drove into the box from deep and hit a thunderous effort off the crossbar and into the back of the back of the net to level the scores.
Moments before half-time, the visitors took the lead. This time it was Saxton who was played through one-on-one with Abi Megeary in the Leeds net.
From there, the striker calmly took a touch round the keeper to tap it into an empty goal, giving the away side a slender lead. This meant that the visitors went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 1-2 Doncaster Rovers Belles
The Whites started quickly in the second half and earned a penalty after Sian Gibrill-Keating was brought down inside the area. Kath Smith stepped up to take the penalty and slotted it into the bottom corner, to level the scores!
It got better for the home side when captain Olivia Smart delivered a superb cross into the box that found Rousseau inside the box, who directed a header into the top corner to give the Whites the lead!
Moments later, Simon Wood's side had another! A missed clearance from the Rovers goalie found the feet of Sarah Danby, who took a touch a hit a strike over the keeper, and into the back of the net to score a fourth of the afternoon!
After the two quick goals, the Whites dominated the remainder of the game and were worthy winners when the referee blew for full time.
This result means Leeds start the year off with a strong win and they are now set to face Middlesbrough next weekend.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 4-2 Doncaster Rovers Belles
