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Photos: Emilien Tortel
York scored all the goals as they swept aside Leeds 2nds on a snowy 22 Acres to progress to the semi-finals of the BUCS Northern Conference Cup.
Despite scoring twice at the wrong end, the home side were always in control of proceedings.
Jess Craig and Ellie Whittaker struck in the first half, before a second-half brace from midfielder Sam Barker put the result beyond doubt. It means that York will host either UCLAN 1sts or Newcastle 1sts in the last four stage.
It’s fair to say the conditions were not kind to the players, with heavy snow being blown viciously by the wind for large spells of the match. But York’s higher intensity and work ethic eventually paid off.
Straight from the kick-off, York piled pressure on the Leeds goal and they were ahead after just seven minutes. Whittaker’s intelligent cross from the left was controlled by Craig on the edge of the box, and the striker made no mistake, steering the ball into the bottom corner.
Leeds came close to equalising 10 minutes later as Maria Davies was forced into a goal-line clearance, but the away side did draw level in bizarre circumstances.
As the blizzard thickened, tormenting with the play, a routine backpass from Marte Wang was completely missed by Megan Phillips as the York goalkeeper kicked air, seeing the ball roll agonisingly behind her into the net.
York did not let the goal deflate them, however, and by half-time they were back in front as Whittaker struck a firm low shot into the corner after a well-worked move.
Leeds, battered and bruised, were tiring considerably at the start of the second period and York made the most of the wind at their backs with some superb football.
They almost added to their advantage on 57 minutes when Rye’s speculative long-range shot was deflected just past the post by the outstretched leg of Amy Johnson, before Leeds fought back as Phillips made two excellent saves.
The third goal predictably came for York as Barker’s shot from 12 yards was fumbled by the ‘keeper to give the home side a deserved two-goal cushion.
The midfielder quickly added a fourth goal to cap a wonderful performance when her 25-yard strike bounced awkwardly and flew through the ‘keeper’s gloves.
The action was still not over as a Leeds corner was headed into her own net by Rhiannon Roy, but it was too little too late for Leeds to mount a comeback.
York team: Megan Phillips; Charlie Barrington, Rhiannon Roy, Vicky DeCamp, Maria Davies; Ellie Whittaker, Sam Barker, Marte Wang, Bea Rye; Amy Johnson, Jess Craig.