Winner Goes Top! – Leeds United Women go to AFC Fylde
Kickoff at Kellamergh Park - Image Creds: Eddie Moxon
A massive game at the top of the FAWNL Division 1 North took place at Kellamergh Park as second-place AFC Fylde hosted league-leaders Leeds United. Both teams went into this game unbeaten in the league, with Leeds having won all their matches. Fylde, though, were held to a draw by Norton and Stockton Ancients which put them just 2 points behind United.
Match Report:
Manager Simon Wood made one change from the side which beat the Ancients last week as Ella Harris replaced Britt Sanderson in midfield. Both sides began the match quickly with Mo Watson’s early shot being easily saved by Izzy Heyworth. The Coasters had a good chance of their own as a loose ball was picked up by Kenzie Bentley who dragged her shot wide. An injury to Fylde’s Chelsey Juke after 17 minutes slowed the game but soon Fylde began to dominate the ball and if not for a goal-line clearance from Alayna Millard, the Whites would have gone in at the break behind. But the first half ended goalless with both sides being pleased with their performances.
The second saw Leeds dominate the ball, pressing the hosts high up the pitch and winning numerous set-piece opportunities. Ella Harris was replaced by Izzy Dean who immediately won a corner for the whites, but it was easily defended by Fylde. Another substitute Ava Spencer-Smith saw the clearest opportunity to take the lead as she retrieved the ball high up the pitch, easily beating the goalkeeper but the defender was there to clear it off the line. Leeds dominated the second-half but were unable to find a breakthrough as it ended goalless on the West coast.
Leeds’s 10 game winning run comes to an end in relatively dull circumstances in Lancashire. But, the Whites remain top of the table, just one point ahead of Halifax whose 6-0 victory of Thornaby sees Fylde slip to third in the table. Next up, Leeds will hope to bounce-back to winning ways in their next match at home in Garforth: a WFA Cup tie against Rotherham United.
Words, Photos and Graphics by Eddie Moxon