Image by Andy Standing.
York City Ladies lost 3-0 against Leeds United Women at Elland Road in FA Women’s League Division One North action, despite a valiant performance against the high-flying side.
Early, quick fire goals from Leeds United put the hosts in a commanding position early on, topped up in the second half with a goal late on.
Amy Woodruff opened the scoring early for Leeds United, latching on to a save from Becky Sidwell to curl home for the hosts.
The number 14 had the ball in the back of the net ten minutes later, however the assistant referee chalked that off swiftly for offside.
Sidwell was on hand to prevent Sian Gibrill-Keating from poking in an 18th minute near post effort after the ball was slid through to her inside the area.
Drew Greene drove her way through the middle of the pitch in the 23rd minute, going one on one with Sidwell to calmy slot it in and double their lead.
City’s Katie Astle planted a header over the bar on the half hour mark, recording The MinsterBelles’ first real chance in the game after nice work down the right concluded in Ocean Rolandsen dropping a cross in,
Astle then came agonisingly close to bagging in the 37th minute, rocking the foot of the post after substitute Grace Sykes picked out the forward in space from the left flank.
Faye Singleton followed up for The MinsterBelles, but her well-struck effort was cleared off the line by Leeds’ Ellie Dobson.
The MinsterBelles found their feet in the game the further the half progressed.
Rolandsen’s 42nd minute free-kick from the right was flicked down by the towering Astle, allowing Singleton to pounce unmarked on the chance, but she mis-hit her connection wide.
A dangerous cross from the left by Sykes nearly caught out goalkeeper Carrie Simpson just before half time, who rushed to beat away and prevent both Astle or Singleton from swiping at it.
Former Leeds forward Astle continued her quest for goals in the second half too, lashing an ambitious left-footed chance wide on the break in the 54th minute.
The forward also did well to carry the ball wide minutes later, flashing a cross in front of goal which was destined to be tapped home.
Sykes took aim at goal from distance next in the 65th minute for The MinsterBelles, who had been banging on the door for a foot back into the game.
Sidwell continued to be on hand for Emily Senior’s side at the back, preventing a number of attacking plays involving Leeds substitution Sarah Danby as the second half progressed.
A further chance for Astle in the 84th minute went begging. The forward carved it herself, turning and taking the ball from the middle down to the left flank before curling just wide of the mark.
Tidy play down the left between Rolandsen and substitute Milly Ash resulted in the latter rolling a cross to be snapped up at close range, however Darcie Green was on hand to clear after it evaded the diving Simpson in goal.
Green went the other end a minute later to wrap up the game for Simon Wood’s side, beating Sidwell from inside the area.
LEEDS: Simpson, Legge, Smart (C), Hughes, Dobson, Smith (87′ Langstaff), Dr. Greene (84′ Jakeman), Woodruff, Da. Greene (90+1′ Waldron), Gibrill-Keating (46′ Danby), Guy.
UNUSED SUBS: Oates.
YORK CITY: Sidwell, Trickett, Brierley (90′ Hayhurst), Cattle, Smith, Ramsden (80′ Shaw), Astle, Rolandsen (C), Singleton (67 Ash), Underdown, Hendrick-Eastwood (31′ Sykes).
UNUSED SUBS: Gore.
ATTENDANCE: 4,801
