Astle fires the MinsterBelles to big win!

Image by Viking Photography York

The MinsterBelles returned to winning ways courtesy of a goal either side of half-time from Katie Astle.

Both sides, without permanent managers, came into the game in the need of a vital three points to move away from the relegation zone. The visitors went close in the second minute of the game when Bowers Folan took the ball around Becky Sidwell before her strike was cleared off the line by Imani Todman. The MinsterBelles first chance of the game lead to the opening goal. The ball wasn’t dealt with in the area and Katie Astle fired a composed shot into the bottom corner to break the deadlock. The Coasters then tested Sidwell on a number of occasions, but the MinsterBelles shot stopper was on fine form to keep her side ahead. In the 29th minute, Chan went close with a strike that went just past the post. She then set up Borrowdale in the 38th minute but her cross was caught by Sidwell.

The Coasters came out, after the break, on the front foot and should have levelled the game through Carabott. She spotted Sidwell off her line and tried her luck but her strike was just over the bar. In the 75th minute, the MinsterBelles almost doubled their advantage through Ocean Rolandsen. Kanisha Underdown’s free kick bobbled into the area and Rolandsen looked set to find the bottom corner until an AFC Fylde defender came in to clear the ball. Deep into injury time, Dan Jackson’s side doubled their advantage through Astle. The striker breaking clear of the defence and calmly slotting past Kirkham to secure the points for her side.

The MinsterBelles are in Women’s FA Cup action next weekend as we welcome Fleetwood Town Wrens to York Sport Stadium in the Third Qualifying Round.