Image by Ian Parker
The MinsterBelles were unable to finish the year on a high after a second-half strike from Rachael Dunlop helped the visitors take all three points at York Sport Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Battling against the breezy conditions, it was Cheadle Town Stingers who had the first meaningful chance in the 8th minute when Becky Sidwell made a superb save to tip a header over the crossbar. The resulting corner was almost turned home by a Stingers attacker, but Kanisha Underdown was on hand to clear the ball off the line. Emily Senior’s side then had their best chance of the half in the 10th minute after Faye Singleton was threaded through on goal, but the Midfielder’s shot was collected by Emma Bradley. Both sides then cancelled each other out for the remainder of the first half, with the MinsterBelles ending it on top.
The second half started with Sidwell immediately called into action. The shotstopper made a smart save to deny Jessica Gillin. Tara Duce headed over from close range in the 55th minute before Senior made a double change, with Milly Ash and Grace Sykes making way for Imogen Hayhurst and Lucy Lendhill. The change seemed to have worked, when Lendhill took the ball down in the area, only for her shot to curl just wide of the goal. The MinsterBelles were then given a warning in the 69th minute as the Stingers hit the crossbar on two occasions. The free-kick hit the crossbar and fell into the path of Dunlop, but the Strikers header hit the top of the bar and out for a goal kick. The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute. Despite a resolute defensive performance from Senior’s side, Dunlop was threaded through on goal and she calmy slotted past Sidwell to give her side the lead. The MinsterBelles were unable to find an equaliser late on, despite working hard to carve out an opportunity.
