Women maintain flawless record with West Yorkshire derby victory | OneFootball

FA Women’s National League Division One North

Bradford City Women 0

Leeds United Women 2 (Dixon 15’, Hughes 68’)

Bradford: Whelan (GK), Fernie, Todman (Gill 72’), Markey, Stube (C), Jacobs, Spencer-Smith, Barraclough, May (L Fountain 61’), Paley (Wilcock 66’), Heckingbottom. Subs not used: M Fountain (GK), Nelson, Tandy, Thompson.

Leeds: Mears (GK), Legge (C), Watson (Harris 72’), Cassidy, Hughes, Drew Greene, Smith (Sanderson 57’), Dixon, Woodruff, Millard, Darcie Greene. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Waldron, Dean, Coley.

Venue: Silsden AFC | Referee: Ross Potten | Bookings: Paley (Bradford) Legge, Dixon (Leeds)

Leeds United Women continued their excellent run of results with a 2-0 victory over Bradford City Women.

The Whites made it seven consecutive wins, with two set-piece goals securing all three points at Silsden AFC.

Ahead of kick-off, Simon Wood made one change to the starting XI that beat Stockport County Women last time out, bringing in Emily Cassidy as Izzy Dean dropped to the bench.

The opening few minutes were scrappy, as expected for a West Yorkshire derby. Darcie Greene had to be alert as the hosts looked to break in-behind, beating the offside trap but our number 20 did well to track back and diffuse the chance.

A mix-up at the back then almost allowed Alayna Millard to tap into an empty net, but Tiffany Whelan was able to get minor contact and parry away for a corner, which was cleared by the hosts.

Another Leeds corner was then swung towards the goalmouth, with Alice Hughes rising highest and getting ahead of the goalkeeper, but she was unable to direct her header on target.

The Whites’ relentless pressure from set pieces was then rewarded after 15 minutes!

Chloe Dixon delivered a free-kick from the left flank towards the front post, where captain Shauna Legge applied pressure to the defender, with the ball taking a deflection before finding the back of the net!

Drew Greene was next to cause problems for Bradford, forcing a strong save from Whelan after Darcie Greene had threaded her through into the area.

With five minutes of the first half remaining, Emily Cassidy tried her luck with a first-time effort from the edge of the area after a corner was only partially cleared, but her strike sailed over the crossbar.

Dixon threatened again from range, catching the ball sweetly on the volley but firing wide, before Monique Watson also sent an effort off target from a central position, with referee Ross Potten blowing his whistle shortly afterwards to signal half-time.

HALF TIME: Bradford City Women 0-1 Leeds United Women

The second half began slowly, neither side able to make their mark with the ball, before the Whites again grew into the contest.

Some clever build-up play had allowed Watson to make space on the edge for a shot, but she dragged the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

Keen to make a mark of their own, Bradford came forward through Ava Spencer-Smith, laying the ball off to Monika Stube but her shot was comfortably wide of Holly Mears’ goal.

The Whites came forward again, this time down the right flank, as Drew Greene latched onto a ball in-behind and crossed. After some pinball in the box, Dixon made room for a shot and struck not too far over the bar.

Shortly after, Leeds were reduced to 10 as Dixon was shown a second yellow card.

However, despite the numerical disadvantage, Leeds made it two with 20 minutes to play!

Brittany Sanderson delivered a deep free kick from the right into the goalmouth, where an onrushing Hughes bundled home!

The midfielder almost made it three immediately after, the ball narrowly evading her as a cross came in from the right side this time.

What followed was an impressive showing of defensive resilience, a quality the Whites have perfected so far this campaign, limiting Bradford to nothing before the whistle was eventually sounded for full time!

Leeds will return to face Bradford again next Sunday, this time in Group T of the FA WNL Cup, with Wood’s side boasting a perfect record and sitting top of the group.

FULL TIME: Bradford City Women 0-2 Leeds United Women