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Photos: Jack Western
York’s women’s footballers steamrolled their way to a third consecutive win in BUCS play this term, maintaining their 100% record and improving their goal tally to 24, as York St John 2nds were annihilated 10-1.
It was a bright and breezy day on 22 Acres as St John’s made the short trip across the city. In hindsight, they may wish they hadn’t bothered, as York outclassed their opponents for almost all of the game.
The first five minutes, however, suggested the game might be closer than it turned out. Amy Johnson, who was a menace going forward all match, almost turned in a scuffed shot which would have given York a first minute lead. Two minutes later, the score was 2-0. Holly Knott’s sweet strike from 25 yards left the keeper stranded to make it 1-0, before Johnson latched onto Emily Eyres’ through ball to double the advantage.
Before five minutes were up, though, St John’s pulled one back. Their striker, comfortably the standout player in the side, found space on the edge of box and unleashed a powerful shot. York ‘keeper Meg Phillips was at full stretch, but the ball skimmed the bottom of the bar and found the back of the net. At 2-1, it seemed like game on.
As time went on this was confirmed to be merely a false dawn. Though York’s first half display was not a completely polished one, for which the gusty conditions certainly played a part, they were never in danger. York St John’s performance, like a Mitt Romney Presidential election campaign, promised much but ended in bitter disappointment.
York went into half-time leading 4-1, with goals from Sam Barker and Jess Craig adding to the early double. York controlled the midfield throughout, with much of the play coming through the centre of the park. There was a marked change in the second period, as the home side clearly began to utilise the wings more, exposing St John’s tiring full-backs.
Meanwhile, throughout the game, York possessed a disciplined back line led by captain Vicky Decamp, which St John’s found impossible to penetrate. The early goal for the visitors was only a minor aberration, and there was little any of the players could have done about it.
The second half can only be described as a goal-fest. There was a noticeable drop in temperature as the sun slung low in the November sky. Yet neither this, nor the brief visit of some extremely low-flying geese, could hamper York’s progress.
It was Jess Craig who was the standout, as she bagged three second-half goals, including a beautifully curled shot which made it 6-1. Her link-up play with Sam Barker, who added another two goals herself, was particularly impressive. Both contributed not only their goals, but also assists. The fluent and creative attacking play of the whole side made York look like a team well and truly on the same page.
In reality, it could have been more than 10-1, as York had a number of other good chances, particularly in the second half when there was only one team in the game. But alas, the girls were delighted with the win, and their form continues to go from strength-to-strength.
York 1sts: Phillips; Barrington, Roy, Decamp, Eyres; Whittaker, Barker, Knott (Turner 59’), Rye (Vaughan 76’); Johnson, Craig.
Vision WOTM: Jess Craig