By Charlie Hopper | Image by Ian Parker
The MinsterBelles rounded off the season in the best possible fashion, winning the Styled Interior Design Women’s County Cup at the Riverside Stadium.
In need of a fast start, Chris Holloway’s side had an early chance through winger Milly Ash. Following brilliant link-up play in the midfield, Ash ran through on goal only for her shot to be saved by Nicole Scott. The deadlock was broken in the fifth minute courtesy of Sophie Tinson. A cross from Nikki Brown found the striker in the area and she nodded past Scott. The lead was doubled just minutes later when the combination of Brown and Tinson linked up again as the striker doubled her tally. In the 16th minute, Jess Holder added her sides third of the evening when she won the ball on the right-hand side, cut inside and found the bottom corner. Ocean Rolandsen continued her fine form with a stunning free kick from outside the area to score her sides fourth just minutes later. Ash and Holder then had chances before the first half was brough to an end.
Holloway made two changes at the break with Faye Singleton, Ruby Gore, Lucy Lendhill and Ella Duffield replacing Milly Ash, Elisha Hardcastle, Jess Holder, and Sophie Tinson. The change worked perfectly, as his side added a fifth courtesy of Lendhill. She found the back of the net from close range. Singleton went close before Duffield scored her first when she smashed the ball past the keeper from the edge of the area. Duffield added a second before she capped off a stunning 20-minute hat-trick when she found the back of the net from distance. Gore curled wide in the 82nd minute before Lendhill added her sides ninth when she slotted past the keeper from close range. Singleton joined the party with a well taken finish to add a tenth to her sides tally. The final action of the Women’s County Cup Final came in the form of a penalty for Skipper Brown. Her strike was well saved and pushed clear to safety.