A double from Charley Evans, alongside a dinked finish from Louise Biggins, helped Barnsley FC take all three points at Oakwell Showcase Pitch on Sunday afternoon.
Playing into difficult windy conditions, it was Emily Senior’s side who made a strong start to the game and came close to opening the scoring in the fourth minute. Jess Holder tried her luck from inside the area and it struck the outside of the post and out for a goal kick. Holder was at the centre of another chance in the 12th minute before Emily Cattle headed a chance into the arms of the Barnsley keeper.
Holder then fired just wide in the 29th minute before her side had their best chance in the 32nd minute. Winger Milly Ash found Holder in the middle, but the Striker slipped as she looked to fire towards goal. The deadlock was then broken in the 38th minute, with Skipper Charley Evans finding the back of the net from the edge of the area. The home side then came close to doubling their advantage, but this time Becky Sidwell made an incredible save to tip a shot onto the crossbar.
The home sides continued with their high pressing game and they doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Louise Biggins capitalised on a defensive mixup, raced towards goal, and dinked her shot over Sidwell.
The three points were then secured just four minutes later, when Evans finished off a counter attacking move to score her second of the game. The MinsterBelles continued to work hard, as the game headed towards its conclusion, and almost reduced the deficit courtesy of Grace Sykes. The Winger swooped in at the back post but saw her shot well saved.
The MinsterBelles now have a weekend off before welcoming Durham Cestria to York Sport Stadium on Sunday 9th March.
