Over the last two weeks York City Ladies Development team have has some huge success.
Firstly, travelling to Harrogate in the league cup November 9th.
After a disappointing result the week before, the team were eager to show what they are capable of and knew that a match against Harrogate was a great opportunity to prove themselves. No easy task, playing a team in the league above, York had to start aggressively and put Harrogate under immediate pressure. This paid off as York earned themselves an early goal five minutes in, with Ruby Shannon on the scoresheet. Sticking to the game plan, the team had numerous chances that unfortunately could not be capitalised on. Conceding just before half time, the score was equal at half time: 1-1.
Coming out strong in the second half, the team mentality was again rewarded when Eliza Benson restored the one goal advantage. Harrogate also showed their strengths, bringing another goal back in the seventy-ninth minute. Thankfully, it was not enough to take the game to penalties as the team showed great resilience and togetherness to keep continuing to create chances. One of those chances arrived, with an excellent through ball from Ruby Shannon to Eliza Benson, which was calmly slotted past the keeper only six minutes after Harrogate’s equaliser. After an Eliza Benson brace, the team showed great organisation and character to stay together and deny Harrogate. With some exceptional saves from Annie Mindenhall, York City Ladies’ development progressed to the next round of the cup, 2-3 away from home… a big win against a tier 5 side!
Manager Sam added: “ I am delighted for the girls & everyone involved. We knew today would be a real test for us up against a tier 5 side but we’ve proved to ourselves that we are capable of playing at this level and getting results. We had a game plan and the girls stuck to it and were rewarded with the win. The standards and commitment the girls showed throughout was outstanding and we’re happy to progress to the next round.”
Next, the development squad welcomed Marske United in the North Riding County Cup quarter-final on November 16th.
Starting strong, winger Anna Quinn had exciting chances from the offset. In the sixth minute of the game, Anna Quinn and Ruby Shannon were able to link up, with a nicely placed finish from Quinn opening the scoring. The game continued with York dominating possession, as Erin Elliot came close and hit the crossbar from the corner and chances arrived for Shannon, with some crucial saves from the Marske goalkeeper. In a spell of end to end play, Tia May Walker denied the opposition in a crucial 1 vs 1 save, before Sasha Dann joined Quinn and Shannon in the opposition box, where Quinn doubled York’s lead. Going into half time with a two goal advantage, 2-0.
Marske were keen to press York, with much of the opening of the second half being played in York’s final third. Marske were rewarded with a freekick in the sixty-fifth minute, closing the scoreline. Then followed a substitute for York, Quinn to be replaced by Graci Wood. Minutes later Amelia O’Flaherty calmly slotted a goal away for York, to double the goal advantage, before Graci Wood fired one across the box and into the back of the net, 4-1 to York. The score remained the same and York City Ladies’ development progressed into the semi-final of the county cup!
Impressive back to back wins from the development team, as they look to take their victorious streak into the league, facing Sheffield Wednesday at home this Sunday 23rd.
The first team also return to Sunday action, welcoming Wroxham FC in the second round of the FA Cup! Come and support the team at York Sport Stadium, YO105NA for a 2pm kick off.
