Team at Bristol

Leeds United Ladies saw their FA Women’s Cup run came to a disappointing end at the hands of Women’s Super League side Bristol Academy.

Bristol opened the scoring in the 15th minute after a good spell of pressure, which saw Nikki Watts score from 12 yards out, while Jemma Rose doubled the lead four minutes from the end of the first half with a 25-yard shot through a crowded box.

Leeds came out much brighter in the second half, and came close to pulling one back when Emma Lipman rose highest to meet a Jess Holbrook corner, only to see the ball hit the post with Bristol keeper Siobhan Chamberlain stranded. But despite matching Bristol throughout the half, it was Bristol who had the last word. Leeds keeper Jules Draycott saved a Jasmine Matthews shot, only for Laura Del Rio – the former US Women’s Professional Soccer player recently signed by Bristol – to nod home from six yards out.

“For large periods today we showed everything that has been positive about our season to date,” said Leeds manager Chris Welburn. However, fine margins and errors cost you goals.

“A communication error cost us for the first, we should have blocked and done our jobs as a unit for the second and the third in the 94th minute made it look one sided as a scoreline as we pressed. However, we more than matched Bristol at times and were unlucuky not to score. We wish them well in the Quarter Finals and for us we prepare now for the games ahead.”

Those games include a visit by Leeds City Vixens on Thursday 15 March in the last Premier League Cup group stage game, followed by an away trip to Reading, as Leeds play one of their three remaining league games.

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