Report: Middlesbrough Women 1-0 Leeds United Women | OneFootball

FA WNL Division One North

Middlesbrough Women 1 (Ferguson 27’)

Leeds United Women 0

Middlesbrough: Wareham (GK), Packham, Towers, Turnbull, Maxwell, Robson (Gibson 61’), Giles, Wilkinson, Bell, Ferguson, Boyes (C). Subs not used: Cook (GK), Skelton, Callander, Elson.

Leeds: Simpson (GK) (Oates (GK) 67’), Legge, Smart (C), Hughes, Danby (Ellis 90’), Dobson (Montgomery 67’), Smith (Rousseau 72’), Drew Greene (Gibrill-Keating 86’), Woodruff, Darcie Greene, Guy.

Venue: Stockton Town

Referee: Charles Calberth

Booked: Robson, Giles, Wareham (Middlesbrough)

Leeds United Women fell to a narrow defeat in the FA WNL Division One North as they were edged out by Middlesbrough Women away from home, with Becky Ferguson’s first-half strike proving the difference in the North East.

On a bitterly cold Teesside afternoon, it was the hosts who started strongly, with midfielder Millie Bell firing narrowly wide of the upright in the opening seconds after a quick Boro move from kick off.

Keen to grab a foothold in the early stages, Sarah Danby swung in a dangerous cross from the right which Amy Woodruff and Alice Hughes rose highest looking to meet, though the ball bundled narrowly past the post after cannoning off a red shirt.

Leeds skipper Olivia Smart then struck powerfully from range, drawing Laura Wareham into a good save. Simon Wood’s side attacked once more as they recycled possession; Drew Greene weaved her way forward and tried to thread a pass through for Woodruff, but alert goalkeeping allowed Wareham to race out and collect.

With Leeds beginning to dominate possession approaching the half hour mark, it was instead the hosts who took the lead when Ferguson’s clever strike nestled in the far corner beyond the despairing dive of Carrie Simpson.

Looking to extend the advantage, Boro’s Lauren Robson went close, dragging wide of the upright from the edge of the area after an incisive move down the right flank.

Searching for a leveller, an intelligent pass from Kath Smith released Drew Greene down the right. The winger raced into the area though, under pressure from a red shirt, was unable to pick out Woodruff in the middle.

Moments before the opening 45 minutes came to a close, the home side again almost doubled their lead when Armani Maxwell rattled the woodwork with a fierce strike 20 yards from goal.

HALF TIME: Middlesbrough Women 1-0 Leeds United Women

Unchanged at the break, the Whites emerged for the second half looking intent on drawing level and almost instantly hit back, as Smith forced Wareham into a good save, with the keeper gratefully clutching the midfielder’s testing effort.

In what was becoming an open, end-to-end affair, Michael Mulhern’s side threatened on the break and Ferguson crossed dangerously for the onrushing Robson, only for the midfielder to fire over the bar on the volley from close range.

The impressive Ferguson was again involved on the hour mark, forcing Simpson into a superb low save after linking up with lively winger Maxwell on the left flank.

The Leeds stopper’s services were again called upon moments later, making an acrobatic stop to claw away Ferguson's looping strike from distance with Boro keen to extend their lead.

Shortly after Maxwell spurned a glorious opportunity for the home side, Wood turned to his bench for reinforcements.

New signing Ria Montgomery made her debut for the club as she replaced Ellie Dobson, before sharpshooter Jess Rousseau marked her return from injury as she came on in place of Smith.

Last season’s Player of the Year was immediately involved in the action and was clumsily sent tumbling inside the area, though referee Charles Calberth waved away the appeals as United piled bodies forward in search of an equaliser.

Leeds threw everything at the Teessiders in the dying moments as they frantically tried to level matters, but the hosts’ defence stood firm to hang on until the full-time whistle sounded.

FULL TIME: Middlesbrough Women 1-0 Leeds United Women