York City Ladies Claim Back-to-Back CLS Sports North Riding FA Women’s Cup Titles
York City Ladies have successfully defended their CLS Sports North Riding FA Women’s Cup title, defeating Middlesbrough Women U23 1-0 in the final. The match, which was described as end-to-end, saw the MinsterBelles capitalise on a crucial moment to secure victory.
According to the York City Football Club website, the first attempt of the game came eight minutes in, with Ruby Shaw trying a half-volley which was easily claimed by the Middlesbrough goalkeeper. The Teeside outfit responded with a series of chances, including a decent strike from distance by Jane Harland, which was palmed away by Becky Sidwell.
The game continued to ebb and flow, with both teams creating opportunities. Middlesbrough’s Merrin Boyle was forced to tip a high effort onto the crossbar, while York City’s Jess Holder had a free header at the far post, which narrowly evaded the post. As the York City Football Club website reports, the next ten-minute spell saw a flurry of Middlesbrough chances, as they picked up a bit of momentum.
Despite the pressure, it was York City who found the breakthrough, with Ruby Shaw rising highest to head home Milly Ash’s corner in the final minute of first-half stoppage time. As the York City Football Club website notes, this goal gave the MinsterBelles a crucial lead heading into the second half.
The second half saw York City come out with clear momentum, with Rosie Bell latching onto a brilliant lofted through ball and taking an angled shot which Merrin Boyle just about managed to hold onto. Holder had a couple of chances too, letting fly with a rising effort before the half-hour mark, and then over ten minutes later, one on the turn into the goalkeeper’s arms.
As the game entered its final stages, Middlesbrough pushed for an equaliser, but York City’s defence held firm. The York City Football Club website reports that the lead could have been doubled on a number of occasions in the latter half, including a ridiculous strike late in the game from about 40 yards out, which had the Boro goalkeeper scrambling back to divert for a corner.
In the end, York City Ladies held on to secure a 1-0 victory and claim their second consecutive CLS Sports North Riding FA Women’s Cup title. The team’s manager and players will be looking to build on this success in the upcoming season.
York City Ladies: Sidwell, Hayhurst, Trickett, Gatt, Smith, Shaw, Holder, Rolandsen (C), Ash, Sykes (Bell 44′, Gore 87′), Bentley.
Unused Subs: Hardcastle.
Middlesbrough Women U23: Merrin Boyle, Harland, Meadow Boyle, Povey, Forgie (C), Hopson (Readman 56′), Mitchell (Callander 56′), Ward (Mitchell 77′), Rodgers, Thomas, Bainbridge.
Unused Subs: Scott, Gate, Gills.
The York City Ladies team, as reported by the York City Football Club website, demonstrated their strength and determination in securing this victory, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this success in the future.
