BUCS women’s hockey: York 1sts 1-4 Leeds 2nds

[visiongallery set=72157632181868580]

Photos: Emilien Tortel

In the midst of a brutal December blizzard, York women’s hockey 1sts slipped to their second league defeat of the season against an impressive Leeds 2nds outfit.

The away side took the lead mid-way through the first half and quickly added a second goal. Although York scored in the second half through Emma Beresford, two further goals from Leeds Met confirmed the result.

In such wintry conditions, normal play was simply impossible and it is unlikely that York will look back on this defeat with too much concern. At times, it was difficult to see through the blizzard.

The result means York lie second-bottom in their Northern 2B division, but they are four points clear of rivals York St John 1sts who look set for relegation.

York began brightly as Joely Hartely saw a shot flash just wide of the post, while at the other end ‘keeper Laura Porter did well to save from a short corner.

Leeds gradually took control of possession and took the lead after 25 minutes. Katie Penrose made an excellent block but could not prevent the rebound hitting the backboard from the Leeds striker.

Moments later, the deficit was two goals as Leeds meandered their way through the York defence before firing home. The half time break was a useful opportunity to regroup for the home side and they came out rejuvenated for the second half.

Shortly after the restart, Jill Mercer unfortunately missed the target from a few yards after the ball ricocheted unexpectedly in her direction from Hutchinson’s shot.

And although York conceded a third goal shortly after, in similar fashion to the second goal, they responded immediately with their first of the match.

A completely unmarked Emma Beresford collected a long, switched pass from the right wing, before cutting inside and drilling the ball home in clinical style.

A fourth goal for Leeds arrived in the dying seconds from a short corner routine as York’s defence froze in the final moments.

Captain Sally Dolton told Vision afterwards: “They were very strong in attack and we were struggling to keep up, but apart from that the girls played really well under difficult conditions. We haven’t played a match in a while so I’m really proud of them.”