Leeds United fire 12 past Stockton Town in the Women’s FA Cup

Leeds United Women thumped sixth-tier Stockton Town at Carters Stadium on Teesside to begin their Adobe WFA Cup. Leeds have a good history in this competition, having reached the final twice in 2006 and 2008, losing both to Arsenal. Last season the Whites bowed out in the Third Round proper to second-tier side West Bromwich Albion. Leeds will be hoping to use this competition to boost their promotion campaign and get much-needed experience playing against higher-ranked sides. Stockton Town hoped to pull off an upset against higher-ranked Leeds United to reach the first round proper for the first time. 

Match Report:

Leeds manager Simon Wood made just one change for Leeds as Holly Mears replaced Charlotte Oates in goal. Leeds began the game quickly, asserting their dominance as Alice Hughes’ shot hit the underside of the crossbar and went in off the keeper. The Whites continued to put pressure on Stockton and Shauna Legge’s pull-back found Darcie Greene who slotted the ball into the back of the net. The rest of the first half saw Stockton struggle to keep possession and Leeds were clearly the better side controlling the ball and constantly threatening the Stockton goal. Continued pressure on the Stockton defence allowed Britt Sanderson to control a loose ball in the box and her shot went straight into the back of the net to give Leeds a three-goal advantage at the half-time break.

Stockton made two changes at the beginning of the second half to try and salvage the game, and it looked possible as they raced out of the blocks putting pressure on Leeds. Lily-Ann Thwaites won the ball from Leeds goalkeeper and managed to pull one back for the hosts. Any chance of a comeback was quickly extinguished as Sanderson set up a tap-in for Hughes to re-establish the three-goal cushion. Leeds continued to pile on pressure and Drew Greene’s cross found Abi Coley who volleyed expertly over the keeper to give Leeds a fifth. Shortly after, Sanderson did well to make space for the shot and was able to make it 6-1. A goal from a corner made it 7-1 as the Stockton keeper was unable to save Hughes’ header. Sanderson continued to shine and played a good ball into Drew Greene who found the back of the net. She quickly made it a brace with some individual skill, dribbling past defenders before finding the top corner to make it nine goals for Leeds. With just five minutes left to play, Hughes made it a hattrick with an easy finish past the keeper. Darcie Greene got her second with a curved shot into the far corner. The best goal was the final one: some brilliant skill from Coley who, following a corner, was able to lob the keeper from range to round off an incredible attacking display.

Leeds United progressed to the first-round proper of the Women’s FA Cup in style where they will host tier 5 Rotherham United. The Yorkshire derby should be a good game with both teams wanting to boost their respective promotion campaigns.

Photo and Words by Eddie Moxon