The women’s water polo side decimated Lancaster 9-3 to record their first victory in the fixture since 2007. In a fevered atmosphere in the York Sport Village pool, York dominated in all areas of the pool with some wonderful attacking play, which the defensive Lancaster side had no answer to.
The match began with both teams relatively evenly matched. York had an early penalty but Gillian Jago shot wide. However soon afterwards a Kate Richards free kick put York into an early lead. York continued to press, gaining some control in possession. Sophie Gorman had a good chance to extend the league but she skied over.
However, Lancaster showed that they were still a dangerous side, having a great chance which hit the post. The match was still finely balanced but York were obviously a more skilful and a vastly more potent side in attack when compared with the more agricultural Lancaster side who often opted to stifle York attacks rather than play a positive game.
As the quarter came to a conclusion York scored again. An incisive long range pass found Louise Highton who smashed it home to give York a 2-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.
The Second half immediately began with York on the attack. Gillian Jago had a great chance but was tackled in the box, which the refereed judged a foul, awarding a penalty which Hannah Carter duly scored to make it 3-0. The Lancaster coach was unhappy with the decision and got himself into an argument with the referee earning himself a yellow card. Not finished yet he quickly resumed his argument, and was immediately sent to the stands to the delight of the crowd.
Lancaster however, despite their coach’s exit had not given up and immediately hit back to make it 3-1. Now under some pressure York showed their resolve and went on the attack once more, having a goal disallowed for offside.
The atmosphere in the pool was reaching fever pitch and this seemed to be reflected in the play with the game opening up into constant end attacks. Both sides had great chances to score but this was always likely to favour York’s more attack minded side. And so it proved with Carter scoring to lift the roof off the stadium and she immediately followed this up with another to make it 5-1.
York were on fire, by now attacking virtually at will, pushed along by the collective will of the crowd every time. Great interplay between Jago and Highton set up another great chance, but Highton shot at the keeper. However she made up for this as she was able to get clean through one on one with the Lancaster keeper, and was able to hold her nerve to put York into a crushing 6-1 lead at the end of an amazing quarter.
The drama wasn’t over yet however. Lancaster were immediately able to get back two goals in quick succession to at least make the match something of a competition. However any nerves that were there were quickly allayed when the in form Highton smashed home to score York’s seventh.
Lancaster continued to battle hard but they were no match for the technically superior York side. The match did enter a slightly quieter period as the end of the 3rd quarter approached. Highton did have another chance to score but her shot was saved by the keeper and the quarter ended with York very much on top.
The Fourth quarter was pretty much a similar story. With victory almost guaranteed York were not as keen to go on the attack, but were still immensely dangerous. Jago smashed past the keeper for York’s 8th and was quickly followed up Highton for her fourth. Although Lancaster did get one back late on York were totally comfortable and played out the final minutes with ease to record a 9-3 victory.
Captain Sophie Gorman was understandably ecstatic with the performance “I’m so proud of them, it was such a good match. It was a really good atmosphere which spurred us on. We haven’t won since 2007 so it’s an amazing result for all of us, can’t believe it!”