Yesterday, York City Ladies First Team welcomed Cheadle Town Stingers for what was set to be a hard-fought game.
With only seven minutes on the clock Cheadle were able to go a goal ahead early in the game, before York provided an immediate answer through a Milly Ash cross, slotted into the net by Rosie Bell to equalise to 1-1. Unfortunately the game did not stay equal for long with Cheadle adding another only five minutes later in a quick counter attack. Ten minutes later Georgia Wattam pulled off a phenomenal stretched save to the bottom corner to deny Cheadle from doubling their lead, with Sharone Buckle leading the defensive duties in the back line. Late in the half, Imogen Hayhurst won a freekick, where York were unlucky not to equalise with Buckle’s header being blocked off the line. HT score 1-2.
Another great chance came in the fifty-seventh minute when Milly Ash played a great through ball to Ruby Watt, who broke away from her player but was unfortunately offside. Then came the best chance of the game for another York goal as captain Katie Astle put the Cheadle goalkeeper under pressure, almost paying off as the ball bounces off her towards the goalline before being cleared by the Cheadle defence. With minutes to go Ruby Shannon and Heather Smith made their first team debuts, replacing Eliza Benson and Milly Ash, with Shannon creating a positive chance in the final third. Debutant Megan Atkins then replaced Hayhurst but unfortunately the game came to a close with Cheadle taking the three points.Sharone Buckle was awarded opposition Player of the Match for a commanding performance at the back.
York City Ladies development team welcomed Rossington Main Ladies to York St John. The team looked for a way in for much of the first half, and their efforts were finally rewarded in the fortieth minute, with a brilliant freekick, struck off the post from distance and followed in by Lili Patton to go a goal ahead before half time.
Early into the second half Rossington equalised with a great strike from distance, before doubling their lead. York kept their spirits high and immediately equalised straight from kick off after a great run down the wing was met with a great strike from Sasha Dann. Unfortunately the game ran away from the team, finding themselves conceding a further three goals in the second half and being defeated by five goals to two at home.
Both the First Team and the Development Team need your support this weekend in the semi-finals of the County Cup! The First Team take on Thornaby women at York Sport Stadium, whilst the Development Team welcome Middlesbrough u23s to York St John. Both games kick off at 2pm on Mother’s Day, where each family will be entitled to one FREE ticket to the Minster Belles game to celebrate the important Mothers & Motherly figures in our lives.
To keep up to date and stay involved, be sure to follow our X account for live game updates (YorkCityLFC), our facebook (York City Ladies), our instagram (yorkcityladies) and finally our TikTok for post match interviews (yorkcityladies).