Report: Peterborough United Women 0-2 Leeds United Women | OneFootball

Whites progress to the Second Round.

FAWNL Cup First Round

Peterborough United 0

Leeds United 2 (Rousseau 49’, Dobson 90’)

Peterborough: Corry (GK), York (Evans 45’), Connor, Driscoll-King, Mugridge (Brown 62’), Axten (Bennett 62’), Scargill, Kirk (Lacite 78’), Lawlor (C), Driscoll, Middleton (Perkins 62’).

Leeds: Kirkham (GK), Jakeman, Turner, Elliott, Smart (C), Smith (Whitham 69’), Danby, Dobson, Pizzarello (Richardson 90’), Astle (Bartup 77’), Rousseau. Subs not used: Simpson (GK).

Venue: Abbey Lawn

Attendance: 453

Referee: Mr. T Dames

Booked: Kirk, Evans (Peterborough) Smith (Leeds)

Leeds United Women travelled away from home on Sunday afternoon, facing Peterborough United Women in the FA Women’s National League Cup First Round.

To reach this stage of the competition, the Whites had beaten Leek Town comfortably on the road in their last match with a 1-4 scoreline.

Hosts Peterborough had also played away in the previous round. They travelled to South Yorkshire and produced a late comeback victory against Barnsley Women’s, to win 2-3.

Both teams are also going well in their respective league campaigns, each having just one defeat to their name and battling at the top end of their tables, meaning a hard-fought and entertaining battle was expected in this one.

When the FAWNL Cup clash got underway at Abbey Lawn, Leeds found the net quickly through the ever-lively Jess Rousseau but the offside flag went up to deny the forward an early opener.

Leeds were tested on a couple of occasions, keeping Skye Kirkham busy between the posts to deny both Katie Middleton and Sophie Scargill for the Posh.

A battling first half where much of the ball was in midfield areas as each team looked start attacks, chances were becoming hard to come by at either end as the clock ticked down.

Two that did arrive were for Leeds. Katie Astle flicked an effort goal wards but it was cleared away at the last attempt, before again Rousseau had the ball in the net only for another tight offside call to deny her.

The whistle to end the opening 45 minutes sounded with the game on level terms, meaning it was all to play for after the break.

HALF TIME: Peterborough United Women 0-0 Leeds United Women

The second half got underway in Lincolnshire with the home side making a change. Ellie York made way, with Jess Evans coming on in her place. Leeds remained with the same XI that began.

After twice being flagged offside in the first half, there was no doubt about Rousseau when she found the net in the second.

Izzy Elliott played an excellent through ball to the forward, who collected it on the halfway line and raced clear before coolly slotting home just four minutes after the restart.

Two further big chances came at either end after the opener. Astle shot just wide with her left-foot, before substitute Renai Bennett was denied brilliantly by Kirkham in a one-on-one opportunity.

Interim manager Simon Wood went to his bench, bringing on Laura Bartup and Danielle Whitham for the Whites in a match that had 20 minutes or so left to play.

Kirkham still had to be alert between the posts and was so, this time denying Jessica Driscoll’s powerful strike. At the other end, Neive Corry produced a stunning fingertip save to turn Ellie Dobson’s strike over the bar.

However, Dobson wasn’t to be denied in the final seconds. Bartup sent her clear into the box and she showed her quality, finishing low to get a second for her side.

The whistle went moments later and confirmed that Leeds United Women will go into the Second Round of the FAWNL Cup.

The Whites will now be back in action next weekend, when they face Hull City Ladies in a top-of-the-table league clash at the Barton Town Football Ground.

FULL TIME: Peterborough United Women 0-2 Leeds United Women