Photo by Ian Parker
Here is a rundown on how the York City Ladies teams got on over the weekend.
First Team:
The MinsterBelles secured their FA Women’s National League Division One North status after a Milly Ash strike in the first half helped them pick up a win at Stockport County Ladies.
In front of a big crowd at Edgeley Park, Emily Senior’s side made a slow start to the game and found themselves on the back foot in the early exchanges. In the 2nd minute Levi Rathburn watched her shot roll wide of the target before Maria Figueiredo forced Becky Sidwell into a comfortable save. In the 13th minute, the deadlock was broken courtesy of Milly Ash. The winger raced through on goal, rounded the keeperbefore she slotted into the back of the empty net.
Sidwell was called back into action just a few minutes later when she made a brilliant save to tip a shot wide of the post. Alex Gatt saw her shot comfortably saved in the 27th minute before Jess Holder came close to doubling her sides lead in the 44th minute. She broke through on goal, but her strike was saved by Heap.
Senior made a double change at the break, with Sophie Bentley and Ruby Gore replacing Imani Todman and Ruby Shaw, but her side were forced into some early defensive work. Emma Lysons had two quick fire changes in the 54th and 60th minute when her shot was saved before she fired wide of the target. Thehome side came close to levelling in the game in the 72nd minute but Alex Gatt made a superb covering tackle to prevent the Stockport County attacker from getting a shot away.
As the game headed towards the final exchanges, both Ruby Gore and Holder had late chances to put the game to bed but Heap was equal to both chances. The MinsterBelles defence then held firm in the final seconds to make sure of the points and secure their FA Women’s National League Division One North safety.
The MinsterBelles are back in league action, for the final time, at York Sport Stadium on Sunday 28thApril as they welcome Leeds United.
Reserves
The Reserves were back in action this week, after two back-to-back cancellations.
The game started brightly with the Reserves pressing for an early opener. The first chance fell to Grace Hemmings whose long-range strike was well held by the Newcastle goalkeeper. The away side were enjoying the majority of the possession and it was Newcastle who struck first when they managed to capitalise on a defensive mix up leaving the attacker to curl into the far corner. This gave the away side an injection of confidence but Erin Rodgers was on hand to make a smart save from a header from a corner moments later. The first half finished with York having their best chance when Hemmings again found herself through on goal but with the angle against her could only lift her effort over the bar. Moments later, the Newcastle goalkeeper had to be alert to push away a curling effort from Kazia Walby.
The opening stages of the second half were played out much the same with Newcastle having the bulk of possession but neither side able to create any clear-cut chances until Newcastle were given the opportunity to double their lead when a rash tackle in the box left the referee no choice but to award the away side a penalty. It was calmly slotted into the bottom corner.
The game finished with both sides pushing for more goals with Ruby Watt and Lil Scott both having efforts blocked and saved and substitute goalkeeper Annie Mindenhall being called into action to make some important blocks.
Despite pushing in the last moments of the game the Reserves fall to their first defeat in the Northern Reserves Premier but turn their attention to next week’s opponents, Reserves Northern division champions Middlesbrough in what should be another close encounter.
