Report: Chester-le-Street Ladies 0-2 Leeds United Women | OneFootball

FA WNL Division One North

Chester-le-Street Ladies 0

Leeds United Women 2 (Hughes 9’, Smith 86' pen)

Chester-le-Street: Jardine (GK), Richardson, Hunt, Ellison, Leech, Third, Gibson, Heckingbottom (Dixon 74’), Clarke (Brierley 46’), Hockaday (C), Wilcock (Jackson 74’). Sub not used: Miller (GK).

Leeds: Simpson (GK), Millard, Legge (C), Bass, Greene (Waldron 90’), Hughes (White 30’), Smith (Williams 86’), Graham (Watson 78’), Ellis (Cassidy 60’), Woodruff, Dixon. Sub not used: Mortimer (GK).

Venue: Moor Park, Chester-le-Street

Referee: Lucy Gill

Bookings: n/a

A goal in each half was enough for Leeds United Women to claim an impressive three points on the road, in a first away game of the new campaign for Simon Wood's side.

The Whites came flying out of the blocks in the first half, with Macy Ellis forcing Chester-le-Street ‘keeper Jardine into the first save of the game, before the parried ball made its way to Smith on the edge of the area, who fired over the bar.

This early pressure from Leeds was then rewarded, as Abbie Graham delivered a teasing corner into the box, which Shauna Legge flicked on to Alice Hughes, who hooked the ball across and into the back of the net to open the scoring.

Darcie Greene, Chloe Dixon and Hughes then demonstrated some excellent interplay, linking up smartly down the left-hand flank to break into the box, forcing some smart defensive action from the hosts.

Dixon then threaded through an excellent ball into the area to Graham, who wriggled past two defenders and raced through one-on-one, but her strike was high and wide of the near top corner.

Jardine had to make an important contribution once again as the half drew to a close, tipping over Dixon’s lobbed effort after the visiting winger jinked her way to the byline on the left side and threatened the goal.

The last action of the opening 45 minutes fell to first-half substitute Ellie White, who took claim of a free kick from 30 yards and struck at goal, forcing Jardine to palm away to keep the advantage at only one goal.

HALF TIME: Chester-le-Street Ladies 0-1 Leeds United Women

Carrie Simpson faced her first threat as the second half got underway, as the hosts’ forward Georgia Gibson raced onto a ball in the box and attempted to lob the Leeds ‘keeper, but Simpson was alert and claimed confidently.

Graham continued to trouble the Chester-le-Street defence, with another chance materialising for her in the 57th-minute, as the Whites’ forward evaded two defenders and cut inside before striking on target which forced a smart parry from Jardine.

As the clock ticked down, play became scrappy, with neither side able to really get a hold of the ball and dictate play. The score remained in Leeds’ advantage though and in the 85th minute, the opportunity came to make it two.

Leeds were awarded a penalty after some excellent work from Darcie Green to find Woodruff in the box, who pivoted and was pulled down by a defender, Kath Smith stepped up to the spot and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way, doubling the advantage.

This proved to be the last chance of the game, with referee Lucy Gill bringing the game to a close and confirming all three points heading back to West Yorkshire!

FULL TIME: Chester-le-Street Ladies 0-2 Leeds United Women