Here is a rundown on how the York City Ladies teams got on over the weekend.
First Team
The MinsterBelles moved out of the FA Women’s National League Division One North relegation zone after a stunning second-half comeback saw them beat AFC Fylde away from home on Sunday afternoon.
Neither side took control of the game in the early exchanges with only Jess Holder having a half chance on the edge of the area in the 16thminute. Borrowdale then fired well wide in the 17th minute before Holder was close to finding Felicity Jones in the area from a cross a few minutes later.
Becky Sidwell was called into action for the first time in the 36th minute when an ambitious effort trickled towards the shot stopper. The home side then took the lead, just two minutes later, through Dale. Her strike had too much for Sidwell and found it’s way into the back of the net.
Emily Senior rang the changes at half time, with Milly Ash and Faye Singleton coming on for Grace Sykes and Charlie Blythe. Her side carved out their first opportunity of the half, in the 53rd minute, when Ocean Rolandsen’s cross sailed just over the bar. The MinsterBelles then levelled the game in the 63rd minute. Jones took a touch and found the bottom corner from within the area.
Holder then went close in the 73rd minute before Senior’s side took the lead through substitute Emia Hendrickson-Eastwood. She turned the ball past the on rushing Kirkham.
The MinsterBelles made sure of the points in the 84th minute when Jones calmly slotted past the keeper to double her tally for the afternoon.
The home side thought they’d reduced the deficit late on but the goal was chalked off for offside.
The MinsterBelles are on the road next weekend as they make the journey North to take on Durham Cestria.
Reserves
The Reserves went in search of a first win of 2025 after last weeks last gasp draw against Huddersfield Town.
This weeks opponents were top of the table Middlesbrough who had only tasted defeat once so far this season. The starting lineup saw the return of midfielder Ruby Shaw and attacker Ruby Gore as well as a debut for new signing Nuncia White Gonzalez who joined this week from neighbours York RI.
The Reserves started the game at full pace and forced the away side into conceding some early chances which were well dealt with by the Middlesbrough defence. It was Boro who would draw first blood though when the attacker ran in on goal, her first effort was excellently saved by Erin Rodgers before a kind deflection landed back at the feet of the Middlesbrough attacker to tap into an empty net. This gave Boro an injection of confidence and they started to assert their dominance on the opening exchanges and soon doubled their lead when a cross from the right hand side evaded everyone and landed in the far corner.
The Reserves grew back into the game as the half went on but were unable to break down the sturdy away defence.
The second half saw the Reserves take control for long parts of the game and their pressure paid off when Katie Varley turned in the area and her chipped effort could not be kept out by the goalkeeper to half the deficit. The reserves continued to pile on the pressure but were unable to recreate last weeks heroics and Middlesbrough were able to hold onto their slender lead to complete their victory.
The Reserves now have another week off before turning their attention to their next home fixture on Sunday 16th February at home to Stockport County.
Development Team
The Development Team were looking to make it two wins from two as they travelled to face Altofts Ladies. Moving up from the U16’s Talent Academy side, Eliza Newton made her full debut from midfield.
Altofts started the game brightly with the first clear cut chance falling to the number 9 who struck low to the corner from 7 yards out only to be excellently denied by Layla Addy. The first goal of the game went to Altofts 18 minutes in. Addy making a save from a shot from a couple of yards out, but the ball was hit home by the oppositions number 10 on the rebound.
The Development Team began to grow in to the game, and got an equaliser on the 32nd minute. Aaliyah Anjorin pounced on to an under hit pass back to the Altofts goalkeeper and she struck first time into the net. Then just before Half-Time, York grabbed their second goal to go in leading 2-1. Daisy Masefield won possession in the centre of the pitch before playing a lofted through ball to Anjorin who lobbed the goalkeeper first time, on the half-volley, from 25 yards out.
The opening moments of the second half saw both teams continue to battle to dominate possession of the ball with Altofts getting the first clear cut chance. Addy keeping the away side in the lead, reacting quickly to dive down low and collect the ball from a free header off a corner in the 52nd minute.
In a close contest with both teams exchanging chances, it was Altofts who grabbed an equaliser on the 82nd minute with a driven shot in to the bottom corner.
The Development team continued to push forward and get back in to the lead, and 2 minutes after conceding they did exactly that. Sophie Bentley received the ball from Newton on the half way line and drove forward before unleashing a high shot from 35 yards out which was parried out by the goalkeeper. Anjorin ran on to score from the rebound, securing her hat-trick and the 3 points.