After being knocked out of the BUCS Cup by Northumbria last week, York were in search of revenge. Yet, despite an intense battle, Northumbria retained their dominance with a 40-34 win.
York looked convincing in the first quarter. They utilised turnovers made by Nina Pullman and Lottie Knight, something they failed to do in their Cup game. Kay Masterson’s shooting was confident and she ensured that York kept a two goal lead.
York’s play was fluent and composed and there was no reason why they could not achieve a win.
However, after a rousing team talk in which York were told to hold the lead, They returned to their old style of play. The vigilant umpires called both teams up for mistakes such as ‘footwork’ and ‘foot on the line’, which unfortunately broke down York’s play.
York lost their two goal lead and unfortunately Northumbria looked certain to be victorious. However, numerous interceptions by Nina Pullman kept York’s hope alive and they entered the third quarter with the aim to prove themselves.
York’s play improved in the third quarter with a switch bringing Georgia Neblett on to Goal Attack and Charlotte Ferris switching from Wing Defence to Centre. York managed to break down Northumbria’s defence with short, sharp passes which resulted in accurate feeds to Neblett and Masterson.
Neblett made a difference to York’s side as her movement worried the strong Goal Defence who had previously showed dominance in the game. Despite York’s initial comeback, they failed to edge the gap between themselves and Northumbria, and Northumbria remained ten goals ahead of them.
However, York never let their heads go down and the last quarter consisted of some of the best play this season. The switch which put Kay Masterson to Goal Keeper had a positive effect on the game and the Northumbria attack were put under immense pressure.
Masterson, with the help of Nina Pullman, ensured that every ball fed into the Northumbria shooters was challenged, and at one point, York bridged the gap to just three goals between them and the opposition.
The combination of Griffiths and Neblett worked well in the circle, with Bronwen Dalley Smith and Charlotte Ferris, ensuring that they were given accurate passes.
Dalley Smith never gave up, and she achieved an interception in every quarter, most notably in the last quarter, which ended in a goal for York.
Although York had bridged the gap in the last quarter, it was not enough to achieve a win. Captain Rebecca O’ Dwyer was “proud” of her team’s performance, especially the “fight back” in the last quarter which showed York’s “determination and fitness”.
O’Dwyer’s team have so much potential and at their best, they are certainly tough competitors.
The result leaves York sitting fourth and in the lower half in their league with Northumbria in second place.
Their next match will be against Teesside, who are currently first in the league and beat York 47-37 in their last encounter. The black and gold will be looking to overturn this result.
Vision MOTM: Kay Masterson
Title suggests York won but the first sentence doesn’t. Poor editing.