Lancaster’s women took to the field inside York’s Sports Centre at 4:15pm having watched their 2nd team draw 2-2 with York earlier in the afternoon.
The game opened with slightly nervy play by both teams, but Lancaster had their goalkeeper to thank early on with a sprawling save at the legs of York’s forward, the keeper losing her helmet in the line of duty. York fumbled their short corner to slightly relax the nerves in the Lancaster camp. However, York still took the lead shortly after, Warmington with a simple tap in after a well worked move.
Despite York’s early lead, Lancaster seemed to most likely to score for the rest of the first half. Great play by Turner and Rittey forced York’s Furber into one of many great saves she was required to make to maintain York’s lead. The rest of the half finished in similar fashion, York resulting to loose shots whilst Lancaster played the better hockey. Nevertheless, York still went in at the break a goal up.
Similar to the first few minutes of the first half, the second half started tetchily. York had a great opportunity, but the ball was hooked off the Lancaster goal line after it deflected through a number of bodies. But unlike the first half, York continued their pressure, with Lancaster’s goal frame being rattled from a fierce shot. This was after Saner received a green card for York.
The second goal of the match went to York. This was no longer surprising due to run of play York had, but their 15-yard strike shocked many supporters around the pitch. With 15 minutes left, Lancaster called for a team talk to help compose the girls. This had the desired effect, with Barker immediately adventuring on a mazy run, only to lack a clinical finish at the end of it. Dent also had a great opportunity, but failed to convert when 1-on-1 with Furber.
A tactical overhaul happened with 10 minutes to go when Lancaster’s keeper was substituted for an outfield player, to try and pressure two late equalisers. They were vulnerable from a York counter attack, but it paid off massively when Short’s close-range top trickled over the line with the help of some fortunate spin.
With Warmington now sin-binned for York, Lancaster had a player advantage and made the most of it almost instantly, with Dent firing in an equaliser past the excellent Furber to make it 2-2. Although another goal was a possibility, the whistle blew 5 minutes later to cap off what had been an excellent game, and a superb comeback by Lancaster. The atmosphere was electric for the whole game, something which both teams needed to help support their team in the succeeding men’s match.
Unlike the women’s match, this was not a tight affair. Ruthless York were dominant and won 7-2, despite an end-to-end opening 5 minutes. York opened the scoring fairly quickly and could have had another were it not for a great clearance off the line. Both teams had the ball in the net illegally before York made it 2-0. York entered half-time 4-0 courtesy of further goals from Chaundy and Ratliff.
Straight from the second start, York made it clear that Lancaster were not gaining the 2 points on offer here. Chaundy gained another, whereas Watton scored twice; the first a delectable chip, the second a cocky poke over the line. An emergency team-talk helped Lancaster pull two goals back, but this was only for pride. They played better in the last 5 minutes, but it was too late to even remotely startle the York team.
