Despite the early start and classic northern weather, the ladies’ 1sts hockey team got off to an energised start against the Huddersfield side in the Yorkshire League. Less than two minutes in, the still-sleeping Dragons gave the ball away on their own 25 to allow club President Faustino to score.
The Dragons came back on the attack with a good break from Becky Pinder up the middle of the pitch into the home side’s D. ‘Keeper Laura Porter dived to stop the first shot on goal.
The second shot left two York players scrambling on the line to just clear the ball back into the still floored Porter. York were saved by an assured clearance by Rachael McMillan.
Once the York team had recovered their nerves they were back on the attack, denied by the keeper on three successive short corners. Huddersfield continued to break but failed to convert chances into goals due to the solid York defensive line. Consistent attacking work from York allowed Faustino to score her second of the match after an amazing run. Her raised flick gave the diving goalie no chance.
The first hit from York’s fifth short corner of the game was saved by Huddersfield only for Laura Welsing to snatch the ball on the rebound and curve it in over the keeper, making the score 3-0.
York newcomer Emma Beresford was unlucky to score her first goal of the season with a well-timed sprint across the D, her effort blocked skilfully on the line by defender Katie McColl. However, Faustino scored again soon afterwards, reversing the ball skilfully onto the backboard. York were to be denied any further goals in the first half with the Dragons’ defenders Kate Durrans and Alice Young coping well under intensive York pressure.
Rachael Faustino started the second half as she finished the first, adding her name twice more onto the score sheet. With the score at 6-0, the Dragons’ heart must been applauded as they doggedly pushed for a goal, narrowly missing an opportunity due to a fabulous tackle from Rachael McMillan.
Reports that York were distracted by the overhead hot air balloon have been unsubstantiated. Becky Pinder continued to find space in the middle of the pitch to give York’s Ormiston some hard work in defence.
After York pressure on the opponent’s D, Veila Ormiston scored her first goal with an impressive dribble, seeing off many Huddersfield challenges to power the ball into the left corner. Laura Welsing followed quickly afterwards with her third goal of the match after another exciting run up the left wing.
Welsing was unlucky not to score again soon afterwards with Alice Young pulling off another incredible save off the line. Welsing, however, was not to be denied for long, breaking the Huddersfield defensive line to make the score 9-0. Soon afterwards, York were awarded a short corner for a Dragon foul in the D. BUCS captain Hannah Gage’s first shot was skilfully saved only for Welsing to find the goal seconds later, rounding it off at 10-0.
York Captain Sally Warrington was pleased with her side’s performance, commenting on their secure showing as a team, not just as individuals, playing a good supporting game. Her man of the match went to Rachel Faustino for consistent brilliance in attack.