York women’s hockey team survived a second half scare to secure a 1-1 draw in a tight and entertaining match to ensure no damage was inflicted to York’s growing Varisty points advantage.
The first half saw chances restricted for both teams as the conditions and tempers each got the better of the players. York were the first team to fall foul, suffering the ignominy of losing a player to the sin bin, but St John’s soon followed suit, a defender being punished for a dangerous tackle. Tempers may have been hot but the temperature was anything but. If it was bitterly cold for spectators wrapped in several layers it must have been painfully so for the players, added to which York were growing increasingly frustrated as over-hit passes skidded off the damp surface and out of play. The only real chance of note cannoned agonisingly off the bar as York dominated possession but failed to create openings.
Given renewed optimism after their stalwart defending in the first half St John’s came out for the second half full of belief, and were rewarded for their optimism when some poor defending from the home side combined with quick counter attacking from the visitors ended with the ball being smashed home from just inside the box to give St John’s a 1-0 lead. York’s attempted to reply immediately, their desire not to lose being demonstrated by Charlie Bartlett who refused to take a break from the action despite the ball forcefully striking her arm. Despite St John’s having numerous opportunities to extend their lead as York pushed for a goal, they did not take them and were left to regret it. Entering the last ten minutes Karen Wallace broke through the middle and coolly levelled the scores with a low finish.
York would have expected to win given their first half performance but after St John’s glut of chances in the second half a draw was a fair result, even if it will have disappointed both teams.