York City Ladies have progressed to the Third Round Proper of the FA Cup for the first time in history… in front of a record-breaking crowd at York Sport Stadium! 291 of you cheered the team on to victory, in a competitive game with testing weather conditions.
The team welcomed Wroxham FC to York Sport Stadium in what was set to be a tough test in challenging conditions. Starting on the front foot, Niamh Doody tested the opposition goalkeeper, before a Rosie Bell cross was slotted into the net by Ruby Watt – eight minutes on the clock and York City were a goal ahead. Continuing the battle there was clever play across the field with Ruby Shaw winning the ball in front of the defence and solid structure present at the back from Florence Pegrum, Sharone Buckle and Katie Varley to stop Wroxham exploiting the space down the right side of the pitch. Applying more pressure in the final third, captain Katie Astle and Niamh Doody were unlucky not to score, forcing the opposition defence to react. Finally City’s efforts paid off as Astle skipped around the opposition for Bell to double the teams lead going into half time, 2-0.
Coming out for the second half the visitors applied more pressure, forcing Dani Trickett into defensive duties down the opposite side of the pitch, with goalkeeper Becky Sidwell rushing out to claim multiple set pieces. With chances at the opposite end, York were awarded numerous freekicks which the team were unlucky not to captalise on. A substitute followed for York with Niamh Doody being replaced by Elisha Hardcastle. With seventy-seven minutes on the clock Wroxham were awarded a penalty, which was quickly converted. Despite the applied pressure, the team came with an immediate answer, where Bell bagged her brace just one minute later! York saw the game out in dominant fashion, with Astle forcing an unbelievable save from the Wroxham goalkeeper in the final ten minutes of the game. A well deserved result, ending 3-1 to York.
The Third Round Proper draw will be confirmed tonight from 7pm, Monday 24th November. The draw is being streamed live and can be watched on the official Adobe Women’s FA Cup YouTube channel – look out for ball number 11! The tie will take place on Sunday 14th December with further details TBC across social media channels in the coming week.
A huge thank you to our loyal supporters who helped us throughout the game and our Girls Foundation Pathway who did an amazing job as ball girls and player mascots, despite the heavy downpour of rain! Our next home match at York Sport Stadium will be take place Sunday 7th December for a 2pm kick off against current league leaders, Cheadle Town Stingers, where we will need all of your support!
Thank you, Minster Belles fans.
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