The first team travelled to Altrincham to play in the third round of the FA Cup at the J.Davidson Stadium with a chance to progress to the fourth round for the first time in club history.
Coming up against a tier 6 side, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, the team were sure not to underestimate their opposition, but were prepared to come out of the tunnel strong.
The team started on the front foot, with plenty of attacking action and multiple chances from in the box – Katie Astle, Rosie Bell and Ruby Watt all coming close.
Corners from Bell found the head of Tara Duce and Sharone Buckle, but York were unable to capitalise early into the half.
Niamh Doody also came close, forcing some brilliant saves from the opposition goalkeeper with Dani Trickett delivering.
Finally, a well deserved goal was slotted into the net calmly by Watt, assisted by Astle. We led by one goal in the twenty-second minute of the game.
Immediately from kick off York won back possession, before Watt placed a ball neatly behind the defence, for a sensational Astle finish, chipping the goalkeeper; less than sixty seconds later our lead was doubled.
The rest of the first half continued much the same with Ruby Shaw switching play calmly across the field and York’s defence playing out from the back, linking up with goalkeeper Becky Sidwell. HT score 0-2.
The first substitute for York came in the fifty-second minute, with Sophie Bentley replacing Doody.
With many more chances infront of goal, York were looking for a way to earn their third.
A double substitute came in the seventieth minute, with Millie Martin replacing Duce and Maddie Blundell replacing Bell.
Martin then won the ball back with a slide in midfield before a chance for Bentley came close… striking the cross-bar from a long-range free-kick.
York were unfortunate not to be another goal ahead with threatening runs from Blundell and Watt on either side of the field.
One final chance came in the ninetieth minute, when a ball was whipped in from the corner by Bentley, and headed home by Katie Varley!
An exciting and historic win, with an exciting prospect next… a potential draw against a WSL team tonight at 7pm!
Look out for ball number 22, available to stream live on TNT sports YouTube channel, or Adobe Women’s FA Cup YouTube channel.
A phenomenal run, making the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in history! A great day for the Minster Belles with 586 fans in attendance – thank you for the travelling support.