FAWNL Division One North

Leeds United Women 0

Norton & Stockton Ancients 0

Leeds United: Simpson (GK), Smart (C) (Jakeman 85’), Dobson, Hughes, Danby, Rousseau, Smith (Price 76’), Gibril-Keating, Waldron (Astle 60’), Turner, Pizzarello. Subs not used: Megeary (GK), Elliot.

Norton & Stockton Ancients: Moore (GK), McEwan, Wynn, Rae, Burton, West, Owens (C), Hodgson (Ormerod 78’), Myers (McArthur 80’), Clark, Milne-Redhead. Subs not used: Coyle.

Referee: Dominic Jackson

Booked: Wynn (Norton)

Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium, Garforth

Leeds United Women were left frustrated by a resolute Norton & Stockton Ancients performance, having to settle for a goalless draw in Garforth despite enjoying large spells of possession throughout the match.

During the week, hat-trick hero Jess Rousseau had got the Whites off to a dream start with a goal inside the first 30 seconds and she almost had a chance to do the same in this one, nearly latching onto Kath Smith’s intelligent flick, but Norton keeper Kelsie Moore was alert and out quickly to collect.

In a tactical battle early on with both sides seeing a lot of the ball, Rousseau looked to pick out the run of Charlyann Pizzarello in the box after finding space on the right, but a touch from a Norton defender allowed the visitors to clear.

After winning the ball back well for her side, captain Bianca Owens spurned a great chance to put the Teessiders into the lead, opting not to pass to Sophie Hodgson in space inside the area after going on a marauding run from deep.

That allowed Whites defender Ellie Dobson to make a crucial interception as Simon Wood’s side cleared their lines.

Moments later, Rousseau did brilliantly to chase down a long pass in behind and raced to the edge of the area, coming within inches of putting her side into the lead as she fired just over the bar, with Moore beaten in the Norton goal.

Both sides continued to threaten, as Owens then squandered another great opportunity for the visitors after winning the ball back from Ellie Dobson inside the Whites half.

With Simpson stranded on the edge of the area, the former Newcastle forward opted to take it on early, steering wide from distance.

Alice Hughes, keen to add to her goal during the week, then went close for Leeds, as she rose highest to meet Smart's enticing delivery from the left, but was unable to direct a header on target.

The battle between Owens and Simpson continued before the break, with the unsighted Whites keeper making a fine reaction save with her feet to deny the Norton skipper after her volley bounced through several bodies towards goal.

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

After an early Owens chance forced Simpson into another strong save shortly after the restart, Smart went close to breaking the deadlock as she met Sarah Danby's floated cross at the back post, only to be denied by a superb goal-saving block by Georgia Rae on the line.

Both sides then rattled the crossbar with Cara Milne-Redhead seeing a fantastic free kick from 30 yards cannon off the upright just before the hour mark.

It was the Whites' turn to strike the woodwork moments later, when Smart's cross from the left looped over Moore and glanced off the top of the bar before bouncing behind for a goal kick.

Smith was the next player to go close for Leeds, heading Smart's corner from the right over. Norton looked to counter quickly from the restart, with Simpson making yet another save to deny Milne-Redhead from the edge of the area.

The in-form Rousseau had brief sights of goal as Leeds searched for a winner, initially linking up well with substitute Katie Astle and seeing a goalbound strike deflect off Rae and away from danger, before lashing an effort just off target after quick feet had created space on the edge of the area.

Despite both sides leaving everything out there on the pitch, neither were able to create any openings late on as Jackson brought proceedings to an end.

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