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
York were against it from the start, with Carnegie having won 13-0 the week before, and the result, quoting the Hockey Club President, "did not reflect the play."
York Womens 2nds started the day as top of the BUSA league in their division, and were hoping to be able to maintain this standing. It was looking bright from the push back, with York starting strongly. Within five minutes they had pulled ahead to lead the game 1-0: a definite boost for the home side as all players were aware of the Leeds Met score the week before. It was looking like a tense match when Carnegie pushed forward and with undoubted skill managed to send the ball flying into the goal to make it 1-1.
The rest of the first half was tough for York. A strong Carnegie side pushed the team back, and the new formation being tried in the midfield was not proving as effective as it did in the 7-0 defeat at Teeside the week before. Carnegie capitalised on the confusion in midfield to bring the score to their advantage, making it 2-1 only ten minutes after their first goal. York were by no means subdued and fought back, coming close to an equaliser straight from the push back. However, a lucky break from Carnegie meant the half ended as 3-1 to them.
The second half was tense for York, with Carnegie applying much of the pressure for most of the next thirty-five minutes. However, there was only one goal scored in the whole of the second half by Carnegie despite the pressure, a testimony to an immensely strong York defence. With the formation changed back to the usual 1-3-3-3 the team was looking more at home, and Emily Nicholson came close to scoring a number of times.
Injuries proved an issue for York in the second half, co-captain Lucy Horrell injuring her knee and midfielder Kyra hobbling off twenty minutes in.
With a final scoreline of 4-1 York were hard done by, but had some major positives to take away from the game. The team has been properly cemented now, and with no more injuries they are looking to bounce back next week when they go to Hull to play their Ladies 1sts.
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