FA Women’s National League Division One North
Leeds United Women 2 (Woodruff 30’, Drew Greene 90+7’)
York City Ladies 0
Leeds: Simpson (GK) Millard, Legge (C), Cassidy, Darcie Greene, Hughes, Sanderson (Spencer-Smith 90+8’), Smith, White (Bentley 74’), Drew Greene, Woodruff. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Dawson, Ellis, Elliott.
York: Wattam (GK) (Mindenhall (GK) 84’), Buckle, Varley, Trickett, Hayhurst (Doody 57’), Gatt, Shaw, Astle (C), Bell, Ash, Watt (Benson 74’). Subs not used: Marshall, Smith, O’Flaherty.
Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium
Referee: Thomas Halloway
Bookings: Astle (York) Woodruff (Leeds)
Leeds United Women ran out 2-0 winners over York City Ladies on Wednesday evening in midweek FA WNL Division One North action, as Amy Woodruff’s first half finish and Drew Greene’s late goal secured all three points in Garforth.
Ahead of kick off, Simon Wood named an unchanged side from the XI that was held to a point away at Doncaster Rovers Belles, but with the additions of new signings Ruby Dawson and Sophie Bentley on the bench.
The Whites started on the front foot, and after a flurry of corners well-defended by the visitors, Alayna Millard found space on the right wing and delivered a perfect arching cross, which was met by Brittany Sanderson, but her strike cleared the bar.
Soon after, some really hard work by Drew Greene earned her possession in the visitors' half. She laid off Woodruff who broke in-behind but was dispossessed before shooting, the loose ball falling back to Greene, but her lobbed effort narrowly cleared the far post.
Half an hour in, Leeds broke the deadlock with a perfectly timed move as Darcie Greene threaded Ellie White in-behind. The midfielder broke the offside trap perfectly and beat Georgia Ann Wattam to the ball before squaring unselfishly to Amy Woodruff who tapped into an empty net!
Leeds came close to another late in the half, as Sanderson fired towards goal from a dead-ball, forcing the York ‘keeper to tip over the bar. The corner was cleared as far to Woodruff, who’s strike on the turn cleared the woodwork.
White then tried her luck again, cutting and weaving past two visiting defenders and into the box before flashing a powerful shot just wide of the far post. This proved the last action of the first half, as Thomas Halloway blew his whistle to signal the interval soon after and the hosts one up at the break.
HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 1-0 York City Ladies
The second half started where the first ended – the Whites enjoying large spells of possession in the York half. Millard was particularly involved as she found a lot of space on the right flank, but unable to force the ball through to a white shirt as she broke into the box on numerous occasions.
Darcie Greene then drove Leeds forward again, striding down the wing before finding Sanderson who attempted a cheeky pass through to Woodruff, but there was too much on it and the ‘keeper collected easily.
Sanderson was successful in playing to Woodruff soon after, lifting over the backline to our number 14, but she was unable to generate enough power to properly trouble Wattam.
With 15 minutes to go, Simon Wood looked to his bench and introduced Sophie Bentley into the action, coming on against her former side to make her Leeds United debut.
Deep into a lengthy stoppage time, the lead was doubled as Bentley did well to beat her marker and fire across the face of goal to Drew Greene, who converted from a tight angle to secure all three points, as the referee blew the full time whistle soon after!
FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 2-0 York City Ladies
