Credit: Leeds United's official website

Richie Mills

Thu 23 April 2026 22:10, UK

Leeds United Women bounced back from their damaging loss to Norton and Stockton Ancients by obliterating Silsden AFC Juniors Ladies in the West Riding CFA County Cups semi-final.

Leeds were in a strong position to secure a FA Women’s National League Division One North play-off spot, only to lose 2-1 at home to Norton and Stockton.

Huddersfield Town have since been crowned as champions, while Cheadle Town Stingers have leapfrogged Leeds into second.

With one game to go, Leeds will have to rely on results elsewhere to finish second in the table, and they have to beat Stockport County on Sunday to stand a chance of a play-off place.

Ahead of Leeds’ crunch league fixture, they received a confidence boost after thumping Silsden 12-0 to reach the West Riding County Cups final.

Shauna Legge stars in cup rout

Leeds, who were on a good run of form before their shock league loss, were always expected to beat Silsden but perhaps not by the manner they did on Sunday.

Shauna Legge was the star with a hat-trick, while Sian Gibrill-Keating and Alayna Millard notched braces of their own.

And Chloe Leigh Dixon, Amy Woodruff, Drew Greene, Darcie Greene, and Paige Williams all bagged a goal apiece in the victory.

This may have little bearing on their trip to Stockport, but after struggling to convert their chances to Norton and Stockton, a goal fest such as this may help their team’s confidence in front of goal.

Heading into Sunday’s finale, Leeds need to beat seventh-placed Stockport and hope Cheadle fail to win at fifth-positioned Durham to make the play-offs.

Leeds have been trying to get out of this division for years but at this rate, it seems their wait will continue, barring a shock turn of events.

Leeds have to move on from league frustration

Leeds’ promotion push was stopped in their tracks by Norton and Stockton earlier this month.

More than 4,000 watched the Whites at Elland Road but they ended up going home disappointed after a demoralising defeat.

Manager Simon Wood admitted Leeds weren’t good enough, while Alice Hughes issued a rallying cry to her teammates.

She said, “We are going to keep fighting until the last minute of the last game, but today is a big knock. It has been a season of ups and downs.

“If we can end on a high and give ourselves the best chance of still making the play-offs, I think that is what is really important, and it will do the team and the performances justice.”