Leeds lead the way into FA WNL knockout stages
Leeds United were on of five Tier 4 teams to top their groups.
Ellie White’s hat-trick helped Leeds United to a 5-2 win in the FA WNL Cup to secure top spot in Group U and progress to the knockout stages.
The Division One North outfit were one of just five Tier 4 sides to top their group as 32 sides confirmed their progress in the Cup.
In the seven-goal clash, two goals from White and one from Monique Watson put Leeds 3-0 up in the first half, but York captain Katie Astle ignited a comeback attempt before the break.
Slotting home Niamh Doody’s cross in the 41st minute was followed by a second from Elisha Hardcastle in first-half stoppage time to make proceedings tight at half-time.
But as White completed her hat-trick before Kath Smith fired in Leeds’ fifth, the West Yorkshire outfit were in control of the match and the group as they finished above Norton & Stockton Ancients on goal difference.
Division One South West’s Swindon Town also topped their group after defeating Southern Premier Division outfit Gwalia United 6-2 away from home.
Braces from Annie Colston and Gipsy Viveash helped them to a goal-laden win to keep them perfect in Group C and guarantee progression to the knockout stages.
Actonians and Chatham Town both represented Division One South East in topping their group as Chatham took a 2-0 victory against AFC Sudbury while Actonians held AFC Wimbledon to a 1-1 draw at home.
Boldmere St. Michael’s 3-1 win against Sutton Coldfield Town guaranteed their place as the fifth fourth-tier side to top their group as they went undefeated in Group O.
FA WNL Cup teams:
AFC Bournemouth
AFC Sudbury
Actonians
Boldmere St Michaels
Burnley
Chatham Town
Cheltenham Town
Chelsea PGA
Derby County
Dulwich Hamlet
Exeter City
Fulham
Hashtag United
Hull City
Leafield Athletic
Leeds United
Lewes
Liverpool Feds
Middlesbrogh
Norton & Stockton Ancients
Oxford United
Plymouth Argyle
Queens Park Rangers
Real Bedford
Rugby Borough
Southampton FC PGA
Sporting Khalsa
Stoke City
Swindon Town
Watford
West Bromwich Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers
FA WNL Plate teams:
Ascot United
Aston Villa PGA
Birmingham City PGA
Bridgwater United
Brighton & Hove Albion PGA
Bristol City PGA
Bristol Rovers
Cambridge United
Cheadle Town Stingers
Chesham United
Chorley
Doncaster Rovers Belles
Durham Cestria
Gwalia United
Halifax
Huddersfield Town
Leicester City PGA
London Bees
London City Lionesses
Loughborough Lightning
Luton Town
Maidenhead United
Moneyfields
Northampton Town
Norwich City
Notts County
Sheffield FC
Sheffield United PGA
Stockport County
Sunderland PGA
Tottenham Hotspur PGA
Worcester City
Photo courtesy of Leeds United Women