Women’s FA Cup

Stockton Town Ladies 1 (Thwaite 50’)

Leeds United Women 12 (Cooper OG 8’, Darcie Greene 26’, 88’; Sanderson 45’, 57’; Hughes 52’, 67’, 85’; Coley 53’, 90’; Drew Greene 76’, 78’)

Stockton: Cooper (GK), Brischuk, Harkin (C) (Gaynor 4s6’), Koruku (Readman 63’), McKinnell, Bell (Thwaite 46’), Campbell, Tapping (Goulding 63’), Povey, Dryden (Bridges 72’). Subs not used: Scott (GK), Chapman.

Leeds: Mears (GK), Legge (C), Watson (Harris 66’), Cassidy, Hughes, Drew Greene, Sanderson (Waldron 76'), Smith (Dixon 54’), Millard, Coley, Darcie Greene. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Dean.

Venue: Billingham Town | Referee: Richard Timm | Bookings: Harkin (Stockton)

Leeds United Women comfortably progressed to the Women's FA Cup First Round Proper after a professional showing against Stockton Town Ladies, which included an Alice Hughes hat-trick.

The Whites lined up with one change from the victory over Bradford City Women in the FA WNL Cup the previous week, as Holly Mears returned between the sticks.

Leeds made their mark on the fixture almost instantly, dominating possession and threatening the Stockton goal, before deservedly finding the lead after eight minutes via a corner.

Abi Coley’s floated delivery found its way through to the centre of the box, where an unmarked Hughes met the ball on the half-volley. Her effort struck the crossbar before hitting the Stockton ‘keeper and crossing the line.

Looking for a quickfire second, Coley latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the hosts’ area and fired towards goal but her powerful strike cleared the bar. Moments later, our number 19 went close again, this time firing over by a narrower margin.

Darcie Greene was next to threaten, twisting and turning on the byline before breaking into the box and shooting straight at Brooke Cooper, who collected comfortably.

The continued pressure paid off midway through the half when the full-back capped off an excellent team move! Monique Watson picked up possession in midfield and turned towards goal before finding Coley’s feet.

The forward cheekily backheeled into the path of Shauna Legge, who broke into the box before pulling the ball back across goal for Greene to calmly tap home and double the advantage.

From the restart, the lively defender again caused problems, winning a free-kick after being tripped on the edge of the area. Coley stepped up and curled towards the top corner but Cooper was equal to her effort.

Some excellent footwork from Brittany Sanderson then created space inside the area, with the midfielder forcing another smart stop from the Stockton keeper. Sanderson would get her reward moments before the interval, making space outside the area before firing into the roof of the net to cap off a brilliant first-half display!

HALF TIME: Stockton Town Ladies 0-3 Leeds United Women

As play resumed for the second half, the hosts managed to claw back a goal as Lily-Ann Thwaite’s effort beat Mears and rolled into the net.

However, the Whites hit back with an immediate response as Sanderson was fed into the box and squared to Hughes at the back post who converted!

Leeds weren’t done there as seconds later, Coley reaped the rewards of a relentless performance, meeting the ball in the box and lofting over the keeper to extend the advantage!

Another goal came after a short break, capping off a hectic 10 minutes. Sanderson showed some quick feet in the box to find an angle and fire in a sixth.

Hughes got herself on the scoresheet from another set piece, making it seven as she fired home after receiving the ball just inside the area.

Drew Greene then bagged a quickfire double, scoring her first as she beat the offside trap and slotted home calmly, before picking up possession inside the box moments later and lobbing into the top corner!

Hughes collected the match ball with five minutes to play as she broke into the box and slotted home. Darcie Greene scored her second of the afternoon shortly after, curling into the top corner from just outside the box, before Coley added another to her tally too, lobbing into the net from range.

This marked the final action of the game, as referee Richard Timm blew the full time whistle to end the Whites’ remarkable second half showing.

FULL TIME: Stockton Town Ladies 1-12 Leeds United Women