Here is a rundown on how the York City Ladies teams got on over the weekend.
First Team
Despite a spirited performance from the MinsterBelles, high-flying Chorley continued their fine form picking up a 5-3 win this afternoon at The Jim Fowler Memorial Fields.
Before kick-off, Emily Senior welcomed Captain Ocean Rolandsen back into the side, following suspension. Her side made an encouraging start to the game but were pegged back early on when Grace Vella’s shot found the back of the net from inside the area. The MinsterBelles were not behind for long, when Grace Sykes threaded a pass through for Katie Astle and the Striker slotted past Mollie Finch. Both sides then exchanged chances with Sidwell making a crucial save in the 15th minute before Astle flicked towards goal in the 34th minute. The home side then retook the lead just four minutes later. A short corner was whipped into the box and met by Ellie Cook, who headed past Sidwell.
Senior made a change at the break with Dani Trickett replacing Milly Ash and her side came close to equalising in the 46th minute when Karli Smith headed a Sykes corner towards goal. Chorley then extended their lead even further in the 59th minute, when the corner was whipped into the area and found the back of the net. The MinsterBelles didn’t let this affect them and hit back immediately. Rolandsen was brought down in the area and Kanisha Underdown stepped up to convert the penalty. Worthington scored her sides fourth goal in the 65th minute before Astle and Emia Hendrickson-Eastwood tested Finch with shots on target. The game was then put to bed in the 80th minute when Parker’s shot looped over Sidwell. The final action of an entertaining game came in the form of a stunning free-kick from Rolandsen. She found the top corner from the edge of the area for 5-3.
The MinsterBelles are back at home next weekend, as they welcome Cheadle Town Stingers to York Sport Stadium for the final game of 2024.
Reserves
The Reserves were looking to bounce back from their away defeat at Liverpool Feds with a stern test against Newcastle United. After a week impacted with injury and illness, Matty Turner was given a selection boost when Bella Marshall passed a late fitness test to parter Summer Harvey in the centre of defence and after a strong debut last week for the Development team against Handsworth, Heather Smith was able to make her first appearance for the Reserves since joining from Doncaster Belles earlier this month.
The early exchanges of the game were even with both sides having a spell of possession, the first real chance of the game came the way of the away side when a high ball into the box found the Newcastle player unmarked but an outstanding point blank save by Erin Rodger’s and a goal line clearance from the returning Marshall kept the scores level. It was then the Reserves who had a flurry of chances, Rosie Bell was able to find space on the edge of the box and a fierce effort stung the palms of the Newcastle goalkeeper who turned the ball behind for a corner. The resulting corner created another chance for the home side when Bell’s ball into the box found Marshall unmarked but she could only direct her header past the post from an awkward angle, the last real chance of the half fell to the home side action when Katie Varley was able to weave her way through challenges before her effort left the goalkeeper stranded but could only strike the post before being cleared, meaning the scores remained level at half time.
The second half was a game of few chances with both sides again sharing a period of possession, the deadlock was finally broken when a Newcastle corner was met by a firm header that found the bottom corner giving the away side the advantage, York almost found an instant reaction when Amelia O’flaherty saw two efforts go close and Bell saw her volley fly inches wide. The away side were able to punish missed chances and managed to double their lead after some neat play down the right hand side allowed the winger enough space to unleash an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net. In the last moments of the game the Reserves pushed hard and Grace Hemmings rose highest but saw her effort go narrowly over the bar.
An even contest that could of gone either way, the Reserves now turn their attention to second placed Leeds United.
Development Team
York City Development travelled to South Yorkshire on Sunday to play Sheffield Wednesday. The Development side started brightly with two efforts in the first five minutes of the game. Some good combination play down the left hand side saw Lucy Cooper cut inside but her shot went straight at the goalkeeper. Cooper was involved again when her pass to Lucy Fairbank saw her driving through on goal with a shot from 18 yards out saved.
Just a few minutes before the half time break, Wednesday opened the scoring when the left winger came inside on to her right foot and her shot flew over Layla Addy in to the goal. In what was an even first half, the development side went in 1-0 down at half time.
The opening ten minutes of the second half saw a much improved performance by the Devs, with much of the play in the Wednesday half. Efforts from Beatrice Matique, Izzy Eaton, Kazia Walby and Fairbank were either well saved or just off target. York’s second half dominance paid off on the 65th minute when Eaton picked the ball up on the left, turned her marker and drove in towards goal. Eaton’s shot was palmed towards the middle of the six yard box for Fairbank to smash home the equaliser.
York City Development continued to push forward in search of a winner. However, on the 84th minute Sheffield Wednesdays right winger was played in behind and calmly finished passed Addy to score what would be the winner.
Both teams will play the reverse fixture this Sunday 15th December, with the game being held at York St John University with a 2pm kick off.
