Leeds United Women hold off York City comeback to claim thrilling 4-3 victory

Leeds United Women returned to winning ways in FA Women’s National League Division One North action on Wednesday evening, holding off a spirited York City Ladies comeback to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory at the BD Community Stadium.

Alayna Millard opened the scoring before Amy Woodruff struck twice to give Simon Wood’s side a commanding 3-0 lead at half-time.

York responded with goals from Hope Knight and Ella Martin after the break, but substitute Brittany Sanderson restored Leeds’ two-goal advantage late on before Ruby Shannon added a third for the visitors in the closing seconds.

The result ensured the Whites took all three points from an entertaining contest, although York made them work until the final whistle.

Leeds welcomed Izzy Dean back into the starting XI for her first start since injury, following an impressive substitute appearance against AFC Fylde Women.

Despite controlling possession in the early stages, the hosts initially struggled to break down an organised York midfield.

Woodruff threatened on several occasions, testing goalkeeper Abi Wallace, while Drew Greene also came close after some neat attacking build-up.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 24th minute. Dixon delivered a free-kick from around halfway into the penalty area, where Millard met the ball and calmly guided it into the bottom corner to register her first goal of the campaign.

Leeds doubled their advantage six minutes later, with Woodruff getting the reward for her persistent work in the final third.

Ella Harris played an excellent pass in behind the York defence, allowing the forward to race through, beat her marker and curl a superb finish into the top corner.

Woodruff nearly added another before the interval, but she would not have to wait long. In the closing seconds of the first half, the forward worked space inside the penalty area before firing through a crowd of bodies and into the top corner to give Leeds a comfortable three-goal cushion.

Half-time: Leeds United Women 3-0 York City Ladies

Leeds continued to threaten after the restart, with Woodruff going close to completing her hat-trick after a neat first-time pass from Greene. However, Wallace did well to close the angle and deny the forward.

York eventually found a way back into the contest in the 63rd minute, when Knight found the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

The visitors' goal prompted an immediate response from Leeds, with Monique Watson striking a looping volley against the crossbar. However, York reduced the deficit further five minutes later as Martin met a low cross and fired home to make it 3-2.

With momentum shifting towards the visitors, Leeds needed another goal to restore some breathing room.

Harris came close with a powerful effort from the edge of the area, before Sanderson provided the decisive moment in the 87th minute.

The substitute latched onto Woodruff’s cushioned pass and calmly guided a first-time finish into the bottom corner, giving Leeds a crucial fourth goal.

Drew Greene nearly added a fifth after cutting inside from the right, but her effort deflected narrowly wide. York then set up a nervy finish when Shannon scored in the 90th minute, although the Whites held on to secure the victory.

Full-time: Leeds United Women 4-3 York City Ladies

Leeds will now turn their attention to the Women's FA Cup, with Rotherham United Women visiting the BD Community Stadium on Sunday 1 November. Kick-off is at 2pm, with a place in the second round at stake.