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After a whirlwind of problems, including the rather big problem of not being able to get a full team out for the away match, and the failure to reschedule that match, the York women's football team set off to meet Newcastle 2nds with a squad of ten (of which only six were first team players) . Despite not having a full team, York remained upbeat, looking forward to the match which could potentially decide who ends up at the top of the table.
York started the game well, both teams pushing forward with equal opportunities. Nonetheless, after a lapse of concentration, Newcastle managed to break through York’s solid defence with a stunning header into the top corner twenty minutes into the game. Still, York soldiered on, keeping Newcastle in their third of the pitch for the remainder of the first half. However, with about five minutes left in the first half, the York team finally showed signs of the pressure of playing with ten players, all looking slightly weary and worn-out, giving Newcastle the perfect opportunity for a quick break which resulted in a goal.
The referee blew the whistle, signalling the end of the first half. Despite being two goals down, they remained cool, composed and supportive of one another, cheering each other on. After a quick team talk in which everyone participated, they went back onto the pitch with a positive attitude to begin the second half.
York had several opportunities during the second half, and even came close to putting one into the back of the net with a quick one-two between right winger Jennie England and centre-midfielder Malan á Dunga. With the team communicating more with one another, the York ladies managed to keep most of the possession with us throughout the entire second half. The Newcastle players were starting to get frustrated with the way things were going, and the intensity of their challenges increased. They became much more aggressive, making blind and ostensibly irrational tackles, even shoving left-back Abigail Eggleston after she had managed to take the ball off one of their strikers.
30 minutes into the game, after a very late tackle from behind in the box, the away team were rewarded with a penalty. Malan á Dunga, who was brought down, stepped up to the plate but her forceful strike was unfortunately deflected off the crossbar.
This seemed to have given Newcastle a new surge of energy, and they managed to take advantage of the slip-up in our defence and score a third goal. With five minutes left in the game, the ladies pushed on with their heads held high up, and played their hearts out.
Despite the score-line, the team were still pleased with their performance overall, and were satisfied with the results considering having only ten players on the pitch. First team captain Carey Kalym said she was “very happy with the girls’ performances today” and continued that she “still remains confident that we will do well in the league and am looking forward to a rematch with Newcastle at home next term with a full team.”
Team: 15 Carey Kalym (c), 1 Hayley Smith, 3 Abigail Eggleston, 4 Rebecca Segal, 5 Sarah Stallard, 7 Helen Brett, 12 Jennie England, 10 Malan á Dunga, 8 Sarah Owens, 6 Caroline Braskén
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