FAWNL Division One North

Norton & Stockton Ancients 0

Leeds United 1 (Astle 22’)

Norton & Stockton Ancients: Moore (GK), McEwan (Coyle 76’), Wynn, Rae, Burton, West, Milne-Redhead, Owens (C), Hodgson (Ormerod 59’), Myers, Clarke (White 76’). Subs not used: Helm (GK), Smith.

Leeds United: Megeary (GK), Jakeman, Waldron, Turner, Dobson, Hughes, Danby, Price (Langstaff 72’), Smith, Astle, Smart (C) (Clift 88’). Subs not used: Kirkham (GK).

Referee: Arakpogun Ogiemwonyi

Booked: Burton (Norton & Stockton) Dobson, Jakeman (Leeds)

Venue: Norton Sports Complex

Leeds United made it back-to-back wins in the FAWNL Division One North with Katie Astle’s first half strike seeing the Whites run out 1-0 winners away at Norton & Stockton Ancients.

The Whites dominated possession early on as the searched for an opener on Teesside. Simon Wood's side like looked to the creativity of Leoni Price who was causing problems for the hosts down the right. Her through ball found the run of Astle inside the area, only for the offside flag to go up against the striker.

Despite the early pressure, Norton had the first opening of the match thanks to good play down the wing from Maddie Myers.

Her low cross found Sophie Hodgson 12 yards from goal, but on the spin she was unable to generate any power in her strike and it was is easy pickings for Abi Megeary in the United goal.

The Ancients came again shortly afterwards, with Lucy Turner on hand to make a good block to deny Cara Milne-Redhead.

Kath Smith then sent a searching ball down the line looking for Astle but Vicki Burton made a fine sliding challenge to avert the danger as the game began to stretch.

The hosts were beginning to struggle coping with Leeds’ pressing as United won the ball back well inside the hosts’ territory. Harriet Jakeman swung in a dangerous delivery from the right, but Astle unable to direct her header on target.

Astle wasn't to be denied an opener on the 22nd minute, latching onto a fine pass from Smart into the box on the left. Through on goal, the forward took a touch to compose herself before sliding a low finish past Kelsie Moore to put the Whites a goal to the good.

🍿 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝟬-𝟭 #LUFCW
Katie Astle's 22nd minute strike seals the win and three points for Leeds pic.twitter.com/okpwMgKkvW

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 25, 2024

One almost became two when Price cannoned a long-range effort off the crossbar. Moore was left rooted to the spot as the midfielder struck the ball from outside the area, but the woodwork came to the rescue as the hosts stayed within touching distance.

Norton could, and probably should, have gone into the break on level terms through Hodgson at the back post. Milne-Redhead crossed from the right looking for the winger but, caught between two minds, the ball bounced off her knee and to safety.

HALF TIME: Norton & Stockton Ancients 0-1 Leeds United

After the restart, the Whites continued to dominate possession as they looked to grab a second and put the game beyond any doubt.

Astle first forced Moore into a good save after showing great determination to chase down Ellie Dobson's clearance, before captain Olivia Smart dragged a shot wide after winning the ball back deep inside the hosts' half.

Astle almost grabbed a second just after the hour mark, curling an effort inches past the post after good build up play from Smith found the striker in space on the right.

If it wasn't for Moore in the Norton goal, Wood's side would have wrapped things up long before the full-time whistle, with the hosts' stopper making two stunning saves to deny Astle from extending the lead.

Moore first made a diving save to her right from close-range after the striker had been played in by Smith, before parrying away the forward's header as the Whites recycled possession and worked the ball out wide.

Waldron was the next to be denied by the inspired Moore, tipping her spectacular effort over the bar after the left-back powered a 30-yard effort towards the top corner.

Having dominated proceedings for the full 90 minutes, United defended resolutely as Norton piled bodies forward in the dying moments, seeing out the game well to pick up their third win in four league matches.

FULL TIME: Norton & Stockton Ancients 0-1 Leeds United