Report: Leeds United Women 0-2 AFC Fylde Women | OneFootball

FA WNL Division One North

Leeds United Women 0

AFC Fylde Women 2 (Bowers Folan 11’, Dale 39’)

Leeds: Simpson (GK), Legge, Smart (C), Hughes, Danby (Gibrill-Keating 78’), Dobson, Smith (Jakeman 82’), Drew Greene, Woodruff, Darcie Greene, Guy. Subs not used: Oates (GK), Langstaff.

AFC Fylde: Kirkham (GK), Tindall, Dunion, Borrowdale (Duffell 85’), Moore, Kelsh-Ridge (C), Chan (Carabott 78’), Bowers Folan, James, Rogers, Dale. Subs not used: Hyland.

Venue: Bannister Prentice Stadium, Garforth

Referee: Matthew Coles

Booked: Legge, Smart (Leeds)

Sent off: Moore (AFC Fylde)

Leeds United Women’s impressive winning streak came to an end as they were narrowly beaten by AFC Fylde Women at the Bannister Prentice Stadium, despite dominating possession on what was a blustery afternoon in Garforth.

Simon Wood’s side dictated play in the game’s infancy and looked to make the early inroads, however it was the visitors who took the lead just after the 10 minute mark, when winger Katie Bowers Folan rose highest inside the area to meet a dangerous delivery from the right and powered a header beyond Carrie Simpson.

The Whites responded well to the setback and went agonisingly close to levelling proceedings when Sarah Danby found space on the edge of the area and unleashed a fierce strike which left Fylde keeper Skye Kirkham rooted to the spot, only for the effort to crash off the crossbar and away from danger.

Amy Woodruff then went close as she looked to continue her rich vein of form in front of goal, though the forward was unable to guide a header on target after meeting Olivia Smart’s cross.

Fylde striker Lois Moore was denied a goal of the season contender as her long-distance effort cannoned off the post as Leeds then broke, ultimately seeing Woodruff draw a fine diving save from Kirkham to prevent her low strike from nestling in the far corner.

The away side doubled their advantage approaching the break, when Natasha Dale’s deflected strike found the back of the net after a quick break from the Lancashire outfit.

HALF TIME: Leeds United Women 0-2 AFC Fylde Women

The Whites emerged for the second half with a point to prove and almost halved the deficit immediately when Danby and Woodruff linked up allowing the latter a sight of goal, though Kirkham’s impressive afternoon continued when she reacted well to save the powerful drive.

The ball then fell kindly for Alice Hughes to strike inside the area, though under pressure, the midfielder lashed high and wide of the upright.

United were dominating possession and the pressure was mounting as they searched for a route back into the clash, with desperate defending from Teal Dunion preventing Smith from tapping in at close range after good work from Woodruff down the right had worked an opportunity for the midfielder.

With just over 20 minutes to play, referee Matthew Coles showed a second yellow card to Fylde forward Moore after a reckless challenge on Ellie Dobson in front of the dugouts.

Leeds continued to control the game as the visitors’ resolute backline sat even deeper, with Kirkham making a number of saves to prevent the Whites from grabbing a lifeline.

As the conditions deteriorated in Garforth, late strikes from Dobson and Smart were dealt with well by the busy Kirkham, before Coles’ full-time whistle brought a frustrating affair to a close.

FULL TIME: Leeds United Women 0-2 AFC Fylde Women