On a cold Wednesday both teams were eager for the game after the start was delayed for fifteen
minutes. Newcastle started defensively, playing for possession rather than risking it with dangerous
attacks. However, York stole the ball and launched a fast-paced attack, with Captain Hannah Gage
scoring on York’s first foray into the D.
York continued their pressure on the Newcastle defence with players Deborah Burn and Helen
Gaskell keeping the home side from goal. They were, however, not to be deprived for long. Gage had
another attempt at goal with was to be deflected of the keeper’s pads allowing Imy Storm to finish
making the score 2-0.
York were then sent chasing back up the pitch after a Newcastle break. York keeper Kate
Atherton broke from the goal line to prevent Newcastle’s Jenny Emerson from scoring, she blocked
the shot for Rachael McMillan to clear.
Newcastle were to enjoy more breaks in the first half. Gaskell especially showed skill in beating the
York defence, with often defender Sally Warrington preventing a greater Newcastle advance.
York showed the benefits of good drilling; scoring their third goal with a well-oiled short corner
routine. Gage in the top D position passed the ball back to injector Storm on the left post whose
deflection gave Rachael Faustino the perfect set-up to chip the ball home.
Credit has to go to the Newcastle keeper who showed herself up to the York challenge on many
occasions, denying both Emma Beresford and Laura Welsing goals by chasing their one-man attacks
in the D. On one occasion, calmly kicking the ball onto Welsing’s foot for a Newcastle 16 yard hit
under great pressure. Welsing fought back minutes later- setting Faustino up for her second goal,
running the left wing to selflessly set up Faustino on the penalty spot.
The Newcastle defender’s seemed shy of stepping in to the York midfield, allowing runs right into
the D. The wingers were left open and unmarked for too much of the game. While York struggled, on
occasion, to contain the players in the middle of the pitch. York ended the half 6-0 up after Welsing
fought through the Newcastle defence to score on the rebound from her first shot and Newcastle
unwittingly assisted Emily Lucas in York’s sixth goal of the game. Her lifted flick altered its trajectory
past the keeper after deflecting off a defender’s shin pad.
The enthusiasm of the Newcastle side never dampened in the second half, nor did their drive and
tireless persistent defending against the York attack. However, York added several more to their
goal difference, a crucial aspect if this talented team is to win the promotion it deserves. Emma
Beresford’s run across the D was finished in style by Joely Hartley, pounding the ball into the back
board. Soon after, Imy Storm added another making the score 8-0.
This is not to say that Newcastle did not have their chances, lulled into a false sense of attacking
security, the York defenders were caught on the quick breaks, with Sarah McKinley from Newcastle
within touching distance of the goal line but denied by the Yorkie Keeper. Sloppy marking from
York sent Griffin of Newcastle chasing a loose ball into space in the home side’s 25. York left back
McMillan showed total commitment in challenging for the ball only for both girls to end up on closer
terms with the astro turf.
York scored two more in quick succession, one from Lucas and the last from the seemingly
indefatigable Joely Hartley to push the scoresheet into double figures in the closing minutes of the
match.
York captain Hannah Gage was pleased with her side’s performance, commenting that it was a ‘great
opportunity to play our passing game’ and that she was ‘happy with everyone’. With Newcastle
2s challenging the York 1sts for promotion in the same league this looks promising for the girls in
yellow.