By Charlie Hopper
Here is a rundown on how the York City Ladies teams got on over the weekend.
First Team
It’s been two weeks without a game for Steph Turnbull’s side, with the Middlesbrough game postponed due to a frozen pitch and the Barnsley match called off due to a waterlogged pitch. They return to action this weekend, for the final time in 2023, as they welcome Stockport County to York Sport Stadium.
Development Team
The Devs travelled to Sheffield looking to extend their recent run of good form against a strong Handsworth side.
The opening exchanges between the two sides were very even, with neither keeper really tested, the only meaningful chance coming from Rosie Bell but she saw her long range effort go narrowly wide. The first clear cut chance of the game fell to the home side, when a long throw into the box was not dealt with by the York defence leaving the Handsworth striker to tap into an empty net. York struggled to find any rhythm and the home side took full advantage as two further goals saw them race into a 3-0 lead. The last stages of the half saw York grow more into the game, Beth McLaughlin was able to control in a crowded area but her chipped effort landed on the roof of the net.
The second half saw a much-improved performance from the young Devs side and they started the half strongly with Rosie Bell once again finding space on the edge of the area but her strike went narrowly over. The best chance of the game for the Devs fell to Grace Sykes who’s dipping effort forced the Handsworth goalkeeper into a superb one handed save. Moments later, Sykes was once again at the forefront of another York attack this time her effort coming inches away from the back of the net with the crossbar coming to the home sides rescue to keep their 3-goal lead intact. York continued to try and find a way back into the game and Molly Loughton weaved her way through the midfield before trying her luck from distance forcing the goalkeeper into a routine save down to her left. The Devs continued to search for a goal but were unable to break down the firm Handsworth defence and with 5 minutes left on the clock the home side were awarded a penalty which was calmly slotted away to put the result beyond any doubt. This result sees the Devs fall to just their second defeat of the season since promotion last season.
The development team now turn their attention to this Sunday when they take on York RI at YSJ.
U23’S
The U23’s were also without a game on Sunday, their trip to Northallerton Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The U23’s are back in action in the new year.