York City Ladies defeated by Leeds United Women at Elland Road

Amy Woodruff had gifted Leeds the perfect start with the opener just three minutes in, before Drew Greene doubled the hosts’ advantage before half-time.

York struggled to find a route back into the match during a battling second-half, before Darcie Greene added Leeds’ third with one minute remaining of normal time.

Manager Emily Senior was frustrated by some of the missed opportunities that City failed to score, but was impressed by the disciplined performance put in by her side.

Senior told the media team: “There were still moments that we could have capitalised on, the girls know that, I’m sure that even the crowd knew that.

“There were some really close chances that we have not taken today that could have changed the game.

“If we put a couple of those chances away in the first-half, then we probably come in at the break at 2-2, and that completely changes the face of the second-half.

“We had an uphill battle for the second-half, which made it really difficult.

York City Ladies manager Emily Senior was pleased by the discipline shown by her side. (Image: Ian Parker) “We stuck to some key principles and changed a few things at half-time, I really liked how hard we worked out of possession today and we were disciplined, which is something we’ve asked for and haven’t seen in previous weeks.

“We’re probably just most unhappy with the two early goals that have put us on the back foot a little bit.

“Other than that, there has been some real positives for us to take today.”

It was the worst possible start for the Minsterbelles as Becky Sidwell managed to push Kathryn Smith’s cross into the area away from goal, but only into the path of Woodruff, who powered the rebound past a York player on the line.

Leeds thought that they had bagged a second with 13 minutes played, only for it be ruled out for offside, before Alice Hughes’ free-kick was headed over the City crossbar.

With 23 minutes player, Leeds doubled their advantage.

Darcie Green was able to weave her way through the York defence, before slotting a composed strike past Sidwell.

Senior’s side looked to respond as Katie Astle headed over the bar, before the striker had an effort rattle the inside of the Leeds post, with Faye Singleton’s follow-up being cleared off of the line.

Astle and Singleton almost halved the deficit again as the former flicked a ball towards the latter, only for Carrie Simpson to cut out the opportunity.

A crowd of over 4000 was at Elland Road to watch Leeds United Women's and York City Ladies. (Image: Ian Parker) York continued to look for a route back into the match in the second-half, as Astle struck an effort wide after being played through on goal.

Sidwell was called into action to parry Sarah Danby’s strike away, before City had one final opportunity with Milly Ash crossing towards Grace Sykes, only for the chance to be intercepted and cleared.

With seconds remaining of normal time, Leeds wrapped up the afternoon at Elland Road as Drew Greene, sister of earlier goalscorer Darcie, was played through on goal and slid an effort past Sidwell.

YORK CITY LADIES: Sidwell, Trickett, Brierley, Cattle, Smith, Rolandsent, Underdown, Ramsden (Shaw, 80), Singleton (Ash, 67), Hendrickson-Eastwood (Sykes, 31), Astle

Subs not used: Hayhurst, Gore

Attendance: 4801