York City Ladies first team hosted Leeds United Ladies in the final group stage matchup of the FA Women’s National League Cup. The start of the game saw end to end passages as both sides looked to go ahead early on. An unfortunate mix-up at the front post saw Leeds go a goal ahead in the twenty-seventh minute after a dangerous corner, which was added on minutes later with another goal for Leeds in the thirtieth minute. York kept fighting with great link-up play from Niamh Doody and Katie Astle, which we unfortunately could not capitalise on. Sadly, Leeds added another in the thirty-ninth minute and it looked as though it might not be York’s day… until the Ladies dug deep and a brilliant run through the Leeds team was made by Doody, getting the ball out from under her feet, past the Leeds keeper, and into Astle’s feet for an easy finish fourty-one minutes in. York were looking a real threat to Leeds, with Sophie Bentley securing a corner two minutes later, taken by Milly Ash and followed up at the front-post by Bella Marshall who was unlucky not to hit the back of the net. Finally, York secured another well deserved goal in the forty-eighth minute – this time a valiant run and subsequent cross from Rosie Bell found the head of Elisha Hardcastle, putting us back into the game just before half time was called. The half-time score was 2-3. York made a half-time substitute with Bella Marshall being replaced by Dani Trickett, with Katie Varley coming close to goal two minutes into the second half. Moments later, Leeds added another goal after a great forward run, making the score 2-4 at minute fifty. The game continued in an erratic manner with York bringing on fresh legs throughout the second half, but an unfortunate deflection off Sharone Buckle saw Leeds go another goal up in the sixty-sixth minute. Ruby Watt and Ruby Shaw doubled up to apply pressure for the rest of the half, almost resulting in a York goal for Watt after a goalkeeper error for Leeds in the eighty-fifth minute. Unfortunately the battle came to an end at 2-5 for the full time score, but a positive performance with improvements, and things to work on before the FA Cup draw next Sunday. Coach Carwyn Hughes added: “We grew into the game and adapted well… positives to take and things to work on ahead of next week, which we are all excited for.”
York City Ladies Reserves team travelled to Middlesbrough to face last year’s league winners for their first game of the season! In an expectedly difficult game, the reserves team pulled together to start strong. Manager Joe said, “Fired up from the start, the girls kept themselves organised, compact and responsive to the opposition.” Thirteen minutes in, the York ladies secured a corner after great build up play in the opposition half; a great cross was put into a dangerous area by Daisy Masefield with Eliza Benson securing the first goal of the game! At thirty-four minutes, Middlesbrough were able to take their chance, equalising against the run of play (1-1). Four minutes later, Middlesbrough then had a chance to go ahead, one versus one with York goalkeeper Annie Mindenhall, who pulled off a fantastic double save to keep the score equal! York transitioned quickly into the opposition half, with a quick pass to Ruby Shannon on the by line. Rising to the challenge, Ruby passed four opposition players before bringing it in from the wing to smash a shot into the top corner… Joe added “Goal of the season…. It could be.” York kept the pressure high in the first half with an excellent strike from Daisy Masefield cannoning off the crossbar, followed by some great interplay in midfield, just before the end of half time. Half-time finished 1-2 to York. Into the second half both teams came close, battling throughout. However, in the seventy-third minute, York were penalised for holding the ball too long and when awarded a corner, Middlesbrough were able to capitalise. York kept fighting until the end, resulting in a 2-2 draw. An excellent start to the league for the reserve team against a very good Middlesbrough side, with Eliza Benson securing player of the match.
The development team hosted Leeds Modernians for their first game this season. After a difficult start, conceding a penalty in the first minute of the game, the girls were facing an uphill battle, where the first half continued much the same. Unfortunately by half time the team were five goals down. The girls kept strong and battled for one another, but it wasn’t meant to be with the opposition adding four more goals in the second half, for a full time score of 0-9. Although the girls grew into the game, gaining a better understanding of the opposition they were facing, it was a tough start for the team. Manager Sam Witthames added: “A really tough game for the girls but they did not stop working for each other until the end. For some of the girls, this was the first time they were meeting one another, and the first time that they had played together as a team. We have a great opportunity to train hard and develop ready for next week, with some positive spells to take away from the second half.” The team travel to play Ilkley Town on Sunday.
