Report: Cheadle Town Women 1-1 Leeds United Women | OneFootball

FA Women’s National League Division One North

Cheadle Town Women 1 (McCready 59’)

Leeds United Women 1 (Drew Greene 30’)

Cheadle: Donald (GK), Landing, Rebekah Coe (Louden 64’), Dean, Caldecott, Harris, Houghton, Porteous-Williams (C), McCready (Gillin 74’), Weston, Bentley (Pilgrim 80’). Subs not used: Elizabeth Coe.

Leeds: Simpson (GK), Millard, Legge (C), Cassidy, Darcie Greene, Hughes, Smith (Woodruff 66’), Sanderson, White, Drew Greene, Dixon (Gibrill-Keating 88’). Subs not used: Oates (GK), Williams, Elliott, Ellis.

Venue: Cheadle Town FC

Referee: Feiruz Abdullahi

Bookings: Sanderson (Leeds)

Leeds United Women were held to a draw in the Lancashire sun in their return to FA Women’s National League Division One North action, despite Drew Greene’s first half opener and periods of sustained dominance.

Ahead of the afternoon’s fixture, boss Simon Wood named an unchanged squad to the side that defeated Chorley Women 4-0 last time out in the league.

After a quiet opening period, the game’s first chance belonged to the home side, as Lily Weston’s long ball released Imogen Porteous-Williams down the right, who found Anya McCready in the middle, but the forward steered her shot wide.

The Whites’ first chance fell to Kath Smith, played down the wing by Darcie Greene, but the midfielder’s effort was fielded by Sophie Donald in net.

Coming into the game, Leeds won a corner, delivered by Chloe Dixon, that clanged off the bar before Kath Smith’s long-range volley flew just wide of the left upright.

And, from another set-piece, United found their opener! Dixon delivered sharply into the near post and Drew Greene was on hand with a smart backheel finish past Donald!

From there, chances were few as the Whites went into the break up a goal.

HALF TIME: Cheadle Town Women 1-0 Leeds United Women

Both sides emerged unchanged from half time and it was Cheadle with the first chance, as Erin Caldecott found Kenzie Bentley on the edge of the box to fire goalward, but Carrie Simpson was down smartly to the bouncing effort, turning it around the post.

Bentley saw a subsequent effort on goal fly over minutes later, after a cross from Lily Weston. And from a corner, Ella Harris’s volley was wayward.

The home side were growing into the game and their pressure paid off, as McCready picked up just inside the box from Weston before firing past the diving Simpson.

It would nearly have been a complete turnaround for Cheadle if not for last ditch defending from captain Shauna Legge to put off Porteous-Williams, played in once more by Weston.

Seeking to re-establish their lead, the Whites drove forward through Dixon, Brittany Sanderson and Ellie White, but the move was well defended by those in red.

Moments after coming on the pitch for the hosts, Jessica Gillin thought she had found the game’s winning goal, but the flag was raised for offside.

Leeds wanted the winner, and once more they worked the ball well high up the pitch, with Dixon and Amy Woodruff combining well on the latter’s return from injury, but the move was thwarted.

Late substitute Sian Gibrill-Keating’s pass found White on the edge of the box, who worked it inside to Sanderson, but the midfielder was closed down by Donald before she could get her shot away.

Despite United’s surge, Cheadle nearly stole the game late on as Gillin picked the ball up deep in the Whites’ end, but her chipped effort went wide.

That was to be the game’s final chance as it ended all square after a back-and-forth affair. Next up for Leeds in the league is Doncaster Rovers Belles on February 18.

FULL TIME: Cheadle Town Women 1-1 Leeds United Women