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Photos: Oona Venermo
York’s women’s 1sts hockey side took a significant stride towards safety in BUCS this season with a 5-3 victory over Leeds Met 2nds in an enthralling encounter on the JLD yesterday. The momentum of the contest swung numerous times throughout the contest, which was blighted by blizzards and conditions more akin to the Arctic than York.
Nevertheless York produced some pleasing hockey, spraying the ball around accurately and exploiting any weaknesses in the opposition, to secure their second win in BUCS this season, and move them ahead of Leeds into fourth place with eight points from six games.
York had secured a 2-2 draw away at Leeds Met last Wednesday, but this time around they were determined to seal all three points and eventually did exactly that. However there were times in the contest when it seemed as if the result would not go York’s way, none more so than when the White Rose trailed 3-2. A spirited comeback from the determined York side sealed a crucial victory though, which eases any fear of relegation.
Indeed York made a promising start to the clash, earning an early short corner from which the Leeds’ keeper was forced to make a double save, first from Anna Williamson and then from Joely Hartley. Another first time effort from Hartley then flashed narrowly wide of the far post, as York dominated the early proceedings.
Around the quarter hour mark York took the lead, a ball into the box from Izi Hutchinson was deflected into the path of Ruth Mason, who calmly slotted home. York seemed to look comfortable, but against the run of play Leeds equalised, a dangerous ball into the box deflecting onto the post before being tapped home from a foot out.
In general York were looking solid at the back, with Sally Warrington and Nina Rawlings, who was replacing captain Sally Dolton who was sidelined due to illness, both having impressive games. Indeed it was York who looked the more dangerous the skills of Katie Penrose, Vaila Ormiston and Hermione Warmington constantly threatening the visitors.
Approaching half time, York retook the lead, as Mason bagged her second of the game, tapping home after Leeds’ keeper had saved Williamson’s attempt. York then comfortably held onto their 2-1 lead up until half-time.
The second half continued in similar fashion, with York playing some flowing hockey and enjoying large swaths of possession and territory. However the momentum of the game was significantly altered when Hartley was brandished a bizarre and somewhat harsh yellow card for entering the field of play from the wrong position.
Leeds capitalised on the man advantage, quickly drawing level with a shot from the top of the D, following a ball in from the right. Only minutes later the visitors were ahead, as a penalty flick correctly awarded for a foot on the line, was dispatched into the bottom right hand corner, leaving York ‘keeper Laura Porter with no chance.
The two quickfire goals hit York hard, and Leeds began to play with more confidence. Indeed Porter was called upon to keep York in the game with a sprawling save, as Leeds threatened to take control of the contest.
However York are made of sterner stuff, and an equaliser from the impressive Hutchinson from a short corner changed the momentum of the game again. York were suddenly on top, and Ormiston crashed one shot into the post, before York deservedly took the lead. Hutchinson then rounded off the win with her second of the game, as York secured a vital victory.
Vision MOTM: Izi Hutchinson
York squad: Porter (c), Warrington, Rawlings, Hutchinson, Ormiston, Mercer, Williamson, Saner, Penrose, Mason, Hartley, Roberts, Warmington