FA Women’s National League Division One North

AFC Fylde Women 0

Leeds United Women 0

Fylde: Heyworth (GK), Jukes (Hickson 21’), Boylan, James (C), Seed, O’Mahony (Mason 77’), Kelly, Borrowdale, Wood (Moore 81’), Bentley (Corrigan 70’), Flanagan. Subs not used: Devereaux, Dunion, Hindley.

Leeds: Mears (GK), Legge (C), Watson (Smith 74’), Cassidy, Hughes, Drew Greene, Dixon (Spencer-Smith 77’), Woodruff (Coley 87’), Harris (Dean 62’), Millard, Darcie Greene. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Sanderson.

Venue: Kellamergh Park | Referee: Martin Flynn | Bookings: James (Fylde) Hughes (Leeds)

Leeds United Women had to share the spoils with AFC Fylde Women in an FA Women's National League Division One North top-of-the-table clash on Sunday afternoon.

The Whites piled on the pressure in the second half, but against a stubborn Fylde defence, were unable to find a breakthrough.

Simon Wood made one change to the starting XI for the clash, bringing Ella Harris into midfield in place of Brittany Sanderson.

The opening of the clash did not disappoint, as both sides sought to make a mark early on.

Leeds saw the first chances, Monique Watson cutting back and forth on the edge before curling towards goal but finding the gloves of Isabella Heyworth.

Drew Greene then probed down the right flank, playing Alayna Millard in-behind but her cross was well dealt with by the Fylde defence.

The hosts were next to conjure a chance of their own as Kenzie Bentley beat Holly Mears to a loose ball and rounded her before dragging her strike wide of the far post.

Following that chance, Lauryn Wood was found in the channel, keeping Mears alert again as she put her body on the line to smother the ball, nullifying the chance.

Wood continued to cause problems for the Whites, again running in-behind but this time her powerful strike narrowly clearing the bar.

After an eventful first 20 minutes, the clash began to slow thanks to a number of fouls and injuries.

Another spell of patient build-up from Fylde culminated in Mears again having to be alert and quick off her line to clear a dangerous ball into the channel.

A deep corner from the Whites’ left found a home shirt rising highest, her heading destined for the back of the net if not for Millard on the line who cleared dramatically.

Despite ongoing pressure from the hosts, Leeds came pressing themselves, Darcie Greene winning a corner on the left wing.

Chloe Dixon’s delivery was met by a crowd of bodies on the goalmouth resulting in the ball clattering the post, before the referee sounded his whistle for half time.

HALF TIME: AFC Fylde Women 0-0 Leeds United Women

The Whites maintained the same battling performance that had grown in the first half, enjoying a prolonged spell down the right flank where Drew Greene and Amy Woodruff linked-up well to breach the box, forcing a smart clearance.

Leeds appeared to have the hosts shaken, pressing high and forcing the ball out of play in unconvincing areas on several occasions.

Watson, still finding joy in the channels, received the ball from Dixon into the left corner, cutting back and forth to beat her marker and break into the box but her cross was intercepted.

Wood, in an attempt to capitalise on the promising spell, made his first change of the afternoon as Izzy Dean replaced Harris with half an hour to play.

Still probing, Dean made an instant impact as she forced the ball into the box which was cleared for a corner, in which Heyworth made a crucial stop to prevent a Leeds breakthrough.

The hosts’ defence held firm despite the relentless pressure from the Whites, Dean again finding room on the edge, this time shooting but three Fylde defenders threw their bodies in front to protect their ‘keeper.

From a clever throw-in, freshly introduced Kath Smith turned and fired the ball into the box towards Woodruff, the No. 14’s head narrowly evading the cross and Heyworth collected.

Another substitute in Ava Spencer-Smith saw the Whites’ best chance of the game shortly after, picking up a loose ball and beating the ‘keeper but a defender cleared off the line.

Playing some excellent football, Emily Cassidy, Dean, Spencer-Smith and Woodruff combined to play the latter in-behind, but her cross was straight into the ‘keeper’s hands.

With seconds left on the clock, Darcie Greene was able to force a corner on the left. Abi Coley's delivery was met in the box, but the hosts cleared powerfully and the referee blew his whistle to signal full time.

FULL TIME: AFC Fylde Women 0-0 Leeds United Women