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 returned to winning ways on Sunday afternoon as they progressed through to the next round of the County Cup after they beat TIBS at Conyers School.
Despite the blustery conditions, the MinsterBelles made a dominant start to the game with Sophie Tinson and Milly Ash going close before Grace Hemmings broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. She took aim from distance and watched her shot sail over the keeper and into the back of the net. The lead was doubled just minutes later when Ella Duffield’s corner was met by Elisha Hardcastle, and she flicked the ball into the back of the net. Ash added a third to her sides tally, when she received the ball out wide, cut inside, beat the defender, and smashed the ball into the far corner.
In the 35th minute, Ash was at the centre of another Ladies attack and scored her sides fourth when she took a touch on the edge of the area, and watched her shot hit the back of the net. The final action of the first half fell to Striker Sophie Tinson and she saw her strike deflected past the keeper and into the back of the net.
A sixth goal was added straight after half-time when Tinson smashed home from close range to pick up her second of the game. She completed her hat-trick just minutes later as her left footed strike bounced past the keeper and into the net. Second-half substitute Nina Howell added an eight goal when she calmy slotted past the keeper. Midfielder Hardcastle added a ninth before Duffield scored straight from a corner to make it 10-0. An own goal and a long-range strike from Emily Cattle made it 12-0, before Tinson rounded off an impressive performance scoring her fourth and fifth goal before the game was ended.
The MinsterBelles are back at home this weekend as they welcome fifth place Stockport County Ladies in the FA Women’s National League Division One North. The game is at York Sport Stadium, YO10 5NA. £5 for a standard ticket with U11’s attending for free.
Development Team
The Dev’s trip to Ripon City Ladies was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. They are back on the road this weekend as they travel to Sheffield United Community Foundation.
U23’S
In a break away from league action, the U23’s were in county cup action against York Railway Institute Ladies. Prior to the game, the squad welcomed new signing Grace Noon, who has stepped up from the clubs U16’s RTC squad and made her first appearance in open age football.
The U23’s started the game brightly and Georgia Sutcliffe found herself one on one with the York RI keeper who made a great save. York RI took the lead from a long-range free kick finding the back of the net. The York RI goalkeeper made 3 further saves to deny Georgia from getting the U23’s on the scoresheet. Half time saw York RI go in 3-0 ahead after a rifled shot went into the top corner and a further finish a couple of minutes later into the bottom corner. York RI added a further goal in the second half securing a 4-0 win and progressing to the next round of the competition.