REPORT: Arsenal Women 9-0 Leeds United Women | OneFootball

Whites bow out of FA Cup

Vitality Women’s FA Cup

Arsenal 9 (Foord 10’, Kuhl 13’, Little 42’ pen, Hurtig 58’, Beattie 70’, Blackstenius 72’, 75’, Agyemang 80’, Pelova 84’)

Leeds United 0

Arsenal: Marckese (GK), Beattie, Williamson (Wubben-Moy 45’), Catley, Little (C) (Maanum 45’), McCabe (Agyemang 75’), Foord (Blackstenius 45’), Gio (Hurtig 45’), Pelova, Kuhl, Wienroither.

Subs not used: D’Angelo (GK), Souza, Maritz, Reid.

Leeds: Simpson (GK), Smart, Hamill, Danby (Hannon 85’), Price (Williams 64’), Brown (Soares-Martins 85’), Smith (Underdown 85’), Whitham, Ellis, Hindle (Robson 64’), Woodruff.

Subs not used: Beacock.

Referee: Mr A. Soneye

Venue: Meadow Park

Attendance: 2,405

Leeds United Women faced a tough test in this Vitality Women’s FA Cup fourth round clash, away at Women’s Super League side Arsenal.

The hosts were able to name a number of international stars in their line-up for the match - including England captain Leah Williamson - as they continued to battle in four separate competitions over the 2022/23 campaign.

Fresh from defeating Stoke City at the So-Trak Stadium in the third round, Rick Passmoor made just the one change to his side.

After scoring the goals in that one, Danielle Whitham and Amy Woodruff retained their places, with the only change being Leoni Price who came in for injured captain, Rebekah Bass.

When the match got underway at Meadow Park, the home side were on top for large parts as expected. However, the Gunners found a resilient United side ahead of them who were making it tough for their three-division higher opponents.

The deadlock was broken after 10 minutes of the match, though. Set-pieces were proving tricky and that was to be the undoing of the Leeds defence, as Caitlin Foord was able to force the ball over the line at close range.

Just three minutes later, Arsenal doubled their advantage. This time it was Kathrine Kuhl who found the back of the net, with a near-post finish which was well struck beyond Carrie Simpson.

The home side had further chances throughout the opening 45 minutes but they found Simpson - between the posts for the Whites - in fine form, making some stunning saves. Most notably, she denied goalscorer Foord on two occasions with stunning one handed saves.

Just before the break, a controversial penalty was awarded to the hosts, despite Rachel Hindle appearing to win the ball. Kim Little stepped up to take it and she slotted into the corner, to give his side a three-goal advantage at half-time.

HALF TIME: Arsenal 3-0 Leeds United

Jonas Eidevall went to his bench at the break, adding fresh players for the second half of this FA Cup clash. Four players were introduced, with Lotte Wubben-Moy, Frida L. Manuum, Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius all coming on.

A batting start to the second half saw Leeds push up the pitch. Macy Ellis was lively as she marauded down the wing, whilst Amy Woodruff and Danielle Whitham were fighting hard in central areas to get their team forward.

Just before the hour mark though, it was another dangerous set-play which would caused further damage and extended the lead for the home side. Hurtig was the player to score, heading home inside the six-yard box.

After working hard throughout an hour of the match, Passmoor withdrew Hindle along with Leoni Price, replacing them with Savanna Robson and Paige Williams for the remaining 30 minutes in North London.

With 20 minutes remaining, Arsenal made it five, through their number five. Again it was a corner, as Jen Beattie rose highest this time and looped an excellent header beyond everyone into the far corner.

Just a couple of minutes later it was six, as Blackstenius fired home from close range and shortly after that, the same player was there again inside the box to make it seven.

Entering the game from the bench, Michelle Agyemang was quickly into the action as she controlled the ball in the box, before firing low into the back of the net to make it eight. The ninth was a well-struck effort from Victoria Pelova, low from the edge of the box.

The Vitality Women’s FA Cup journey was over for this season for Leeds United Women, but they could be proud of their achievements to reach this stage of the competition after overcoming higher-division opponents throughout the previous rounds.

FULL TIME: Arsenal Women 9-0 Leeds United Women