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Photos: Jack Western
York suffered an unfortunate defeat in their opening Yorkshire Hockey League match of the term, in a game which they dominated for long spells.
Harrogate scored a controversial winner against the run of play when Sally Dolton was adjudged to have prevented a goal-scoring opportunity and the Harrogate forward scored the resulting penalty flick.
York will be irritated that such a harsh decision was made, given that the Harrogate player appeared to go down with minimal contact, and the challenge did not deny a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
The home side began the match confidently as Hermione Warmington dragged a shot narrowly wide within two mintues, before Izzy Hutchinson saw a vicious drive beaten away by the Harrogate ‘keeper.
Harrogate were being overrun in midfield thanks to York’s tenacity, denying their opponents time and space.
But towards the end of the half, the away side did exert some pressure as keeper Laura Porter was forced into a save, with the rebound being brilliantly cleared off the line by Sally Warrington in what represented the game’s best chance.
Early in the second half, York thought they had taken the lead. Jill Mercer delivered a short corner to Joely Hartley, who slammed home emphatically. The goal however was disallowed, since Hartley was ruled to be outside of the D. York continued to dominate as Vaila Ormiston befuddled the opposition with her dribbling skills, and Katie Penrose saw a shot flash just wide.
But out of nothing Harrogate took the lead with 10 minutes left. A rare Harrogate attack resulted in the winger making a run down the left, but she tumbled to the ground as Dolton closed her down. The umpire immediately gave a penalty flick, to the amazement of the York players, and the ball was stroked home.
York tried to press for a late equaliser, but Harrogate’s defence remained firm in the closing stages. Afterwards, captain Dolton told Vision: “It’s incredibly unlucky that we lost to a penalty that should never have been given.”