Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Last Wednesday York women’s 2nds dominated York St John, battling through some very unsporting behaviour to claim 3-1 victory.
York were strong from the outset knowing the grudge match would be a tough one following a very evenly matched 2-2 draw in their previous meeting with St John. Great play from Co-Captain Lizzie Hollins in the middle of the pitch quickly created chances for York, winning several short corners within the early stages of the match.
A lucky break from St John, soon put York’s defence under pressure with an eventual clearance by Emily Scott. The following 16 yard hit, and a series of defending errors however created the opportunity the opposition required, slipping the ball past the goalie and several defensive players to take the lead 1-0 coming up to half time.
At the start of the second half York came out more determined than ever to draw the scores level and were swiftly all over St John, winning yet another series of short corners. A quick steal by Lizzie Hollins moved the ball into our attacking ‘D’ where the goalie faced a quick fire round of short, eventually pushed over the line by Emily Nicholson levelling the score to 1-1 and giving the impetus York required to snatch victory.
This marked a turning point in the match, York’s standard of play soared with some fantastic work in our attacking third by co-captain Lucy Horrell and brilliant switching and movement around the middle fuelled by great supporting balls up the wings from the defence. This was marked by the second goal, scored by Millie Williams following a fantastic series of passes up the pitch between the forwards; York drawing ahead to 2-1.
St John, realising that they were being outplayed resorted to far less sporting behaviour. Several players were cautioned for aggressive stick tackling and abusive language which allowed the standard of their game to slip and York to dominate in what would otherwise have been a closely contested grudge match.
York’s third goal was a real piece of champagne hockey as Lizzie Hollins took the ball up from the half way line through the majority of the St John defence supported all the way by Horrell, Nicholson and the array of supporters congregated on the sideline. This was followed by a beautifully executed strike easily finding the backboard and ensuring York’s victory, 3-1.
York did well to gain the upper hand in this game as the teams would usually have been fairly evenly matched. However it seems that the pressure of the varsity situation played to York’s strengths as a solid, stable and friendly team brilliantly lead by Captains Hollins and Horrell. The match marked a great end to the season and we now eagerly await the show at Roses next term.
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