Today the women’s second team enjoyed a comfortable victory over City of York fifths. While the overall pace of the game was slow and there were long periods of unimaginative play, the university team dominated. There were a handful of uncontrolled lifted passes from the seconds, one of which resulted in a nasty head injury on a City defender during the opening stages of the match.
But the university squad had many goal-scoring opportunities during the game, with multiple shots on target. However, City’s solid and reliable goal keeper prevented the second’s tally from reaching the astronomical heights.
The university team’s persistence and pressure in the circle paid off, and they achieved two goals in the first half. The first was scored by Jess Hardwood, whose powerful shot on target through a crowded defensive circle shocked defenders that were still recovering from a ruthless attacking run from Becky Bradley. Shortly after this, the home team got a second in the back of the net. In the first half there were regular shots on target and constant pressure from the attackers, yet Asrari’s squad appeared deflated. Both sides were granted a succession of short corners during the game, but the pace was slow and the opportunities were not fruitful.
City responded in the second half with a successful counter-attack and an early goal, and while this brought the score up to 2-1, the visitors were never a real threat. During the initial stages of the second half there was a more even distribution of possession and the mid-field became noticeably more competitive.
Yet City’s play was clumsy and with little idea of spacing throughout, the visitors did not seem likely to add to their tally. The university’s squad responded well and soon after City’s goal the home team were granted a break and achieved their first goal of the half. This was shortly followed by another, from the squad’s Captain Leila Asrari, who scored her first since returning from injury. Within five minutes the University of York scored once again; an excellent sweep across the edge of the area into the bottom left granted Harriet Mills the final goal of the match. A comfortable win for the first match of 2011 which should provide momentum to take into the remainder of the season.