York City Ladies Weekly Round-Up

Words & Images by Charlie Hopper

Here is a rundown on how the York City Ladies teams got on over the weekend.

First Team

York City Ladies travelled to Broadhurst Park on Sunday, as they returned to league action for the first time since the last week in November.

In the opening exchanges, it was the home side who came closest to opening the scoring when Becky Sidwell tipped a free kick onto the crossbar and the midfielder, with the goal at her mercy, smashed it over the bar.

Just minutes later, the MinsterBelles had a great chance of their own when Ruby Gore was threaded through on goal, but her shot was saved by Sophie Donald. Arguably the best chance of the first half fell to Chaneece Reeves, who latched onto a through ball, but her tame shot was saved by Sidwell.

In the 19th minute, Steph Turnbull was forced into her first change, with Gore making way for debutant Kelly Garcia. The MinsterBelles finished the first half on the front foot, with Jess Heald and Sophie Tinson going close before Jess Holder saw her header well saved before she fired a free kick just over the bar.

In need of a fast start after the break, Turnbull’s side had a glorious opportunity in the 48th minute when Milly Ash’s strike was well saved by Donald. On the hour mark, striker Tinson cut inside from the edge of the area and saw her strike rattle the far post. Ash latched onto the rebound, but her strike was straight at the FC keeper.

The home side were then, also, denied by the post when Reeves muscled her way into the area but could only hit the frame of the goal. Sidwell was called into action just minutes later when she got down quickly to save a header from inside the area. In the final few seconds, Tinson capitalised on a defensive error and took a shot from distance but it was comfortably saved by Sophie Donald.

The MinsterBelles had to settle for a well-earned point at Broadhurst Park and turn their attention to County Cup action on Sunday, when they travel to TIBS.

Development Team

On Sunday the Devs welcomed Chesterfield Women for a second versus third in the table clash.

The game started brightly with Chesterfield having the first chance when they hit the cross bar from about 20 yards.

The game continued with neither side creating much with most of the play confined to the midfield area. As the Devs confidence grew they began to dominate more of the possession.

On 26 minutes, the Devs first corner of the match lead to Karli Smith winning a header at the back post and narrowly missed after steering it in at the front post.

On 30 minutes, the Devs made an enforced substitution when Beth Mclaughlin suffered an injury and had to be replaced by Chloe Harris.

The next ten minutes saw the Devs maintain the pressure and on 42 minutes Ellie Hairsine spotted the Chesterfield Goalkeeper off her line and sent her scrambling back as Ellie tried a 30-yard lob only to see the Goalkeeper get a hand to it and push it out for corner. The rest of the half was dominated by the defensive units of both teams preventing either side from having any real chances.

The second half continued in the same fashion with the defensive side of the game dominating meaning neither side created any real chances. The final whistle saw each side take a point.

The Dev’s make the short trip to Ripon City Ladies on Sunday.

U23’S

York City Ladies U23’s played South Park Rangers Belles at home in a game which marked the mid-way point of the league season.  A first home game in 2024 saw two new additions welcomed into the squad.  Isabella Devereux made her first appearance for the club after signing from Harrogate Town. Katie Varley made her first competitive start in open age football after stepping up from the clubs Under 16 RTC squad.

It was Katie who opened the scoring for the U23’s in the first three minutes with a side foot finish into the bottom corner.  She added two more goals during the game to claim a hat trick in her first game.  Maya Baxter-McPhie scored four goals, Emia Hendrickson-Eastwood scored six goals, while Heidi Parry scored an excellent header into the top left corner after a cross from her centre back partner Kazia Walby.  Georgia Sutcliffe put on another ruthless finishing display scoring 12 goals making her the leagues current top goal scorer.

Following the win, the U23’s remain top of the league.  They now head into County Cup action where they will face York RI at home on Sunday.