Image by Ian Parker
Despite a spirited second-half fightback from the MinsterBelles, an Own Goal alongside a strike from Charlotte Stuart helped Huddersfield Town take all three points at York Sport Stadium.
In the absence of Captain Ocean Rolandsen, Emily Senior handed a First Team debut to 16-year-old Sophie Bentley and her side made a positive start to the game. The first meaningful chance fell to the visitors, with former MinsterBelles Midfielder, Ella Duffield, pulling her shot just wide of goal. The MinsterBelles then had their first chance in the 16th minute, when Alex Gatt fired just over the goal from the edge of the area. The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when a cross from the right-hand side was sliced into our own net by Emily Cattle. Becky Sidwell was then called into action in the 35th minute, making a smart save to deny Caz Simone.Senior’s side looked to have levelled the game up in the 38th minute when Jess Holder’s strike was parried into the net by Kacey Bolton-Woollam, only for the keeper to flick it out of the goal. Despite protests from several players, the Linesman waved play on.
Senior made a change at half-time, in a bid to find a way back into the game, with Emia Hendrickson-Eastwood replacing Charlie Blythe. But it was the visitors who doubled their lead through Charlotte Stuart. She tapped into the back of the net after Simone had found her in the middle of the area. It was then a moment of brilliance which helped the MinsterBelles half the deficit. Milly Ash’ cross was rifled into the back of the net by Grace Sykes, to give her side a glimmer of hope. With the momentum firmly in the home sides favour, they went in search of an equaliser but struggled to carve out any meaningful opportunities. Deep into stoppage time, Gatt had a free-kick on the edge of the area, but it was hit straight into the arms of Bolton-Woollman.
The MinsterBelles are back at York Sport Stadium on Sunday, welcoming Norton & Stockton Ancients in the FA Women’s National League Division One North.
