Adobe Women’s FA Cup Report: Norton & Stockton Ancients 0-0 (P) Leeds United | OneFootball

Adobe Women’s FA Cup

Norton & Stockton Ancients 0

Leeds United Women 0

Leeds win 5-4 on penalties.

Norton: Moore (GK), Coyle, Jamieson, Burton, Rae, West, Boyle, Cairns (Birtwhistle 64’), Atkinson, Owens (C), Marshall (Green 64’). Subs not used: Valentine (GK), Heslop.

Leeds: Simpson (GK), Legge (C), Cassidy, Darcie Greene, Hughes, Smith, Watson (Graham 86’), Drew Greene (Gibrill-Keating 90’), Woodruff, Dixon, White. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Lee, Elliott, Williams.

Venue: Norton Sports Complex, Norton

Referee: Martin Dunn

Leeds United booked their spot in the first round proper of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup after a penalty shootout victory over Norton & Stockton Ancients.

With the scores still deadlocked after an attritional 90 minutes, goalkeeer Carrie Simpson made a crucial save in the spot-kicks to ensure the Whites progressed.

Going into the clash on Teesside, boss Simon Wood made three changes to the team that dismantled York City Ladies last time out, recalling Simpson, Kath Smith and Chloe Dixon into the starting XI.

Prior to kick-off, both sides joined together in a moment of solidarity with Peterborough United player Kira Rai, united in the stance against racism within the game.

The tie got underway in blustery conditions at the Norton Sports Complex with the visitors immediately on the front foot seeking progression to the first round proper of the competition.

A cleverly worked move down the left flank saw the ball worked to Ellie White on the edge of the area. Having netted a hat-trick last week, the midfielder let fly looking to continue her rich vein of form but saw a fiercely struck effort fizz narrowly wide of the upright.

Down the other end, Norton’s Louise Atkinson was next to try her luck from distance, curling a speculative effort over Simpson’s crossbar.

The Ancients’ Eve Marshall then had the clearest sight of goal as she found space to meet a looping delivery in the middle, blazing a wayward volley off target.

Keen to wrestle back momentum, Darcie Greene raced up the field down the left flank for the Whites and charged into the area. The full-back’s cross was initially cut out and landed invitingly back at her feet before she drilled a fizzing drive inches over from a narrow angle.

Further brief glimpses of goal came for both teams but neither were able to break the deadlock before referee Martin Dunn brought a hard-fought first half to a close.

HALF TIME: Norton & Stockton Ancients 0-0 Leeds United Women

Play resumed in the North East with the two sides unchanged. The unrelenting wind also continued in familiar fashion, causing havoc as the sides looked to play their quick-flowing football.

Moments after the break, United goalkeeper Simpson was called into a first bit of meaningful action as Bianca Owens lined up a free kick from distance.

The initial strike was blocked well but the ball cannoned around the penalty area before an eventual header from an orange shirt directed the danger goalward.

The conditions weren’t lending a favour to Wood’s side as they looked to continue the high-intensity, incisive game shown in recent weeks, making it increasingly difficult to carve open a stubborn Norton defence.

Amy Woodruff almost did just that as she wriggled free on the left and drove into the hosts’ penalty area though, under pressure, the forward was unable to get a shot away before the retreating Vicki Burton diverted the ball behind.

From the resulting corner, Dixon had a shot from the edge of the area charged down by an Ancients defender with a clever, hooked effort by Emily Cassidy then forcing an impressive intervention by Kelsey Moore in the home team’s goal.

A first change from the dugout brought Abbie Graham into the action and in the youngster’s first involvement, the midfielder won a corner on the left.

Dixon swung in a deep delivery which Shauna Legge kept alive at the back post, with an almighty scramble ensuing before the hosts somehow manage to scramble clear.

Atkinson had two chances to seal the tie for the Teessiders, which included a magnificent reaction save from Simpson, but neither team were able to break the deadlock as the encounter went to penalties.

After eight perfect spot-kicks, the stopper produced the heroics to make a sublime save to deny Chloe West, allowing White the opportunity to win it for United…

The midfielder did just that, firing emphatically into the top corner and ensuring Leeds reached the first round proper of the prestigious Adobe Women’s FA Cup!

FULL TIME: Norton & Stockton Ancients (4) 0-0 (5) Leeds United Women