By Charlie Hopper | Images by Ian Parker
Here is a rundown on how the York City Ladies teams got on over the weekend.
First Team
The Ladies welcomed Chorley to York St John University on Sunday afternoon, in need of a vital three points in the bid for survival.
Chris Holloway, who was in the dugout for the first time, watched his side dominate the early exchanges with Ruby Gore whipping a dangerous cross across the box. Jess Holder then went close as she took a shot from distance, but it drifted wide of the far post. In the 17th minute, Ella Duffield had a great chance of her own her strike was straight at Emma Bradley. The visitors then took the lead just two minutes later, when Laura Walker converted from the penalty spot.
In need of an immediate response, the MinsterBelles looked to have levelled the game in the 32nd minute when Milly Ash’ corner was headed over the goal line, only for the referee to decide that the ball hadn’t gone over the line. On the stroke of half-time, Chorley doubled their advantage when Charlotte Tyers found the back of the net from the edge of the area.
Unchanged at the break, Holloway’s side were immediately on the back foot and Becky Sidwell was forced into making a smart save from a strike from Saffron Newhouse. In the 57th minute, Chorley added their third when Tyers drilled past Sidwell after she was put through on goal by Megan Parker. Holloway then made three changes and it looked to have worked when Kelly Garcia took a touch in the area and looked to find the bottom corner only for it to be brilliantly saved by Bradley.
In the 69th minute, the Minsterbelles found a way back into the game through Jess Holder. She tried her luck from distance and found the back of the net to give her side hope. The visitors then scored two back-to-back goals in the 77th and 80th minute as Millie Fitzpatrick capitalised on defensive errors to make it 5-1. In the 90th minute, Chorley added a sixth and final goal when Parker slotted past Sidwell to round of a dominant performance.
The MinsterBelles are on the road this Sunday, as they travel to second place Durham Cestria.
Development Team
On Sunday the Development team made the trip South to face Chesterfield. Due to circumstances they had to travel with 10 players meaning a change a formation and playing style in adapting to a more defensive stance.
From the word go the Devs played with discipline, composure and tempo controlling large portions of the first half. As the game progressed Chesterfield began to take more risks as they failed to break down the Devs defence allowing the Devs to create several chances with Emia Hendrickson-Eastwood seeing her shot saved by the Chesterfield Goalkeeper.
This was not the only chance of the game with Rosie Bell seeing her goal bound free kick tipped over the bar. Later in the game the Devs went down to nine players after Caroline Kilkenny had to leave the field due to injury. Chesterfield finally ran out 4-0 winners but the score line did not reflect the game.
The Dev’s travel to York RI on Sunday, 2pm kick off.
U23’S
York City ladies U23’s made their furthest away trip of the season, heading north to face Skelton United Ladies. New signing Natalie Harris made her debut for the U23’s, playing her first game at open age after moving up from the club’s U16’s RTC squad. Alongside Natalie Harris, the U23’s squad was made up of six current RTC players showcasing the pathway for players moving from youth to adult football to help aid their development.
It was Skelton who opened the scoring in the first half. A clearance fell straight to the Skelton player who converted from over 35 yards out. The U23’s bounced back and equalised on 30 minutes. Maya Baxter-McPhie threaded a ball in behind for Georgia Sutcliffe to run on to. Sutcliffe’s shot was initially saved, but she followed it up and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper on the rebound. Ten minutes later Sutcliffe grabbed her second goal of the game. Katie Varley picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and played a through ball between two Skelton defenders for Sutcliffe to move on to and chip the goalkeeper from 20 yards out. The U23’s went into the half time break 2-1 ahead.
The second half was much improved from the young MinsterBelles. On the 50th minute, Sutcliffe secured her hat-trick. The ball started with Harris on the left and was passed down the line for Julia Carro-Goodwill, who then turned and played the ball to Sutcliffe. Beating her defender for pace, Sutcliffe went through 1 on 1 and rounded the goalkeeper before passing the ball into the net. On the 52nd minute the lead was extended. A corner from Lucy Cooper was delivered straight in to the 6-yard box for Heidi Parry to volley home. On 78 minutes, Parry scored her second. Baxter-McPhie took a free kick from 25 yards out and her effort smashed the crossbar before Parry followed in and headed the ball past the goalkeeper. At the final whistle, the U23’s secured a 5-1 victory.
York City Ladies U23’s are away again on Sunday as they travel to face Huntington Rovers, 2pm kick off.
