West Riding County Cup

Leeds Modernians 3

Leeds United Women 1

Leeds Modernians: Flaherty (GK), Cromack, Barkley, Robson-Owen, Ohr (Power 46’), Glynn (Denison 58’), Myers, Greig, Asher, Beckley, Fozzard (C). Subs not used: Sykes, Djemame, Dacey.

Leeds United: Megeary (GK), Smart (C), Pizarello, Dobson, Elliot, Hughes, Danby, Price (Turner 75’), Waldron, Hindle (Jakeman 60’), Astle. Subs not used: Kirkham, Smith.

Referee: Giorgio Luongo

Booked: Myers (Leeds Modernians) Hindle, Smart (Leeds United)

Venue: Cookridge Lane

Leeds United Women bowed out of the West Riding County Cup semi finals with a 3-1 defeat away at Leeds Modernians.

Simon Wood’s side had gone into the half-time break a goal to the good courtesy of Leoni Price’s low finish, but an inspired second-half comeback from the hosts saw them progress to the final at the expense of the Whites.

In difficult conditions, United started brightly dominating possession, moving the ball quickly despite the poor surface and looking to get full-backs Charlyann Pizzarello and captain Olivia Smart involved on the overlap.

A dangerous delivery from the right saw midfielder Alice Hughes rise highest to power a header goal bound, only to be denied by a fantastic headed clearance by a Modernians defender.

Hughes was involved moments later again from a set piece, glancing a header just wide of Tara Flaherty’s far post.

Down the other end, United had Smart to thank as she then made a superb block to deny the hosts an opener as Matilda Beckley looked destined to fire home from inside the area.

After chances came and went for Rachel Hindle and Hughes once more, Leeds deservedly took the lead on the 24-minute mark, with midfielder Leoni Price sweeping the ball home from the edge of the area past the despairing dive of Flaherty.

The Whites almost doubled their lead shortly afterwards, as Smart's fierce effort cannoned off the crossbar and the hosts managed to clear their lines. Further chances for Sarah Danby and Hindle followed, but Wood's side were unable to extend their lead going into the break.

HALF TIME: Leeds Modernians 0-1 Leeds United Women

The hosts started the second half brightly as they searched for an equaliser, with striker Tanya Fozzard forcing United goalkeeper Abi Megeary into a smart save from close range after good play down the right saw the forward find space inside the area.

Fozzard wasn't to be denied for long however, with the Modernians skipper levelling things up rather fortuitously just after the hour mark after charging down a United clearance.

Within the space of six minutes, the hosts turned the tie on its head when they took the lead in fortunate circumstances, with a mix up between Hughes and Megeary seeing the ball ricochet off the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

As the Whites threw bodies forward searching for a response late on, Modernians forward Matilda Beckley put the game to bed on the counter with a composed finish into the corner eight minutes from time.

FULL TIME: Leeds Modernians 3-1 Leeds United Women