Report: Stockport County Ladies 2-2 Leeds United Women - Leeds ...

FAWNL Division One North

Stockport County Ladies 2 (Wilson 17’, Brady 90’)

Leeds United Women 2 (Smith pen 45’, Woodruff 71’)

Stockport: Farrell (GK), Weston, Lancaster, Davies, Owen (C), Rathburn (Newton 90’), Greenhalgh (Douglas 87’), Bentley (Bradshaw 72’), Wilson, Watson (Brady 72’), Hamer. Subs not used: Bancroft.

Leeds: Simpson (GK), Legge, Smart (C), Turner, Danby, Dobson, Rousseau, Smith, Greene (Gibrill-Keating 89’), Woodruff, Waldron. Subs not used: Lockwood (GK), Jakeman, Price.

Venue: Stockport Sports Village

Referee: Jessica Knapp

Booked: Simpson (Leeds)

Sent off: Davies (Stockport)

Leeds United Women were cruelly denied all three points deep into stoppage time against Stockport County Ladies, as a last-gasp equaliser from Jess Brady rescued a point for the hosts.

After falling behind early on, the Whites fought back to lead thanks to goals from Kath Smith and Amy Woodruff, before late drama at the Stockport Sports Village ensured the spoils were shared in Cheshire.

With the two sides enjoying large spells of possession early on without creating any real openings, it would be the Hatters who had the first sight of goal when Elizabeth Hamer struck a tame free kick straight at Leeds goalkeeper Carrie Simpson, before Natalie Watson volleyed over from a narrow angle.

Moments later, County took the lead in fortunate circumstances, with Olivia Wilson’s cross looping over Carrie Simpson and finding the back of the net, just as Simon Wood’s side were beginning to get a foothold in the match.

Pushing for a quickfire response, forward Jess Rousseau first dragged an effort wide, before an in-swinging Sarah Danby corner caused chaos inside the hosts’ penalty area, ultimately falling for Shauna Legge whose header was well saved by Lucy Farrell.

With the Whites starting to dominate, Stockport launched a quick counter of their own and Kenzie Bentley, ignoring the run of Levi Rathburn on the left, opted instead to let fly from the edge of the area, drilling a low effort straight at Simpson.

After Ellie Dobson glanced Olivia Smart's cross straight at Farrell, Leeds again went close through Rousseau. A fine turn initially worked a yard of space for the forward on the edge of the area and, trying to pick out the top corner, her strike deflected narrowly wide off Hatters’ defender Fran Davies.

On the stroke of half time, United were presented with their best chance yet to level proceedings when Rousseau was sent tumbling by Farrell inside the area, with referee Jessica Knapp quickly pointing to the spot.

Up stepped Kath Smith to calm slot beyond the County keeper and put her side back on level terms at the break!

HALF TIME: Stockport County Ladies 1-1 Leeds United Women

With both teams starting the second half brightly, Whites stopper Simpson’s services were required to keep the scores level shortly after the interval, making a stunning acrobatic save to tip Natlie Watson’s fierce drive over the bar.

Approaching the hour mark, Hamer was next to go close for County, blazing over from close range after Watson’s effort deflected kindly into the path of the midfielder.

Moments later down the other end, a delivery from Smart was inventively flicked on by Woodruff to Dobson at the back post, but under pressure, the midfielder was unable to bundle home, before the offside flag went up on the far side.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, the pressure finally told as Woodruff rose highest to meet a Smart corner, powering a header beyond a helpless Farrell into the back of the net!

Within minutes, Leeds came desperately close to extending their lead when Dobson latched onto a loose pass on the left. Marauding into the area, she crossed low for Greene, who would have tapped home if not for an excellent covering challenge from Davies.

Amongst a sea of both yellow and blue shirts, great goalkeeping late on from Simpson saw her importantly claim the ball after a deep Stockport cross bundled around the area, with the hosts pushing for an equaliser.

The hosts weren’t to be denied a share of the spoils however late on, when substitute Jess Brady tapped home from close range to cruelly deny Wood’s side of all three points.

Drama followed at both ends as the teams looked for a winner deep into injury time, including a red card for Davies after a poor challenge on Ruby Waldron, but neither side were able to grab an all-important third goal.

FULL TIME: Stockport County Ladies 2-2 Leeds United Women