Excellent women’s hockey firsts storm past Northumbria
Photo: Peter Iveson
YORK FIRSTS 2
NORTHUMBRIA SECONDS 0
York’s ladies cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Northumbria University seconds this afternoon. The side were dominant throughout and were able to take the victory without ever fully putting their foot down. Northumbria played some nice hockey but were no match for York who exuded calmness all over the pitch, playing attractive, fluent hockey from the first minute. They had Rachael Faustino and Emily Lucas to thank for the goals, both of which epitomized York’s performance, one being a superb team move and the other a piece of individual class.
York started the game in the ascendancy and earned themselves two early short corners, neither of which was fruitful, but the signs were there and it was obvious that York has the necessary class to cause their opposition no end of trouble. They were at times guilty of playing too narrow and as a result their path to goal was often blocked by a resilient Northumbria defence. Despite this they were still creating chances: Emily Lucas’ effort from a short corner was well saved by Northumbria’s stopper Lynne Dobson. Soon after York were in the lead, another short corner was played to Laura Pepper who played the ball to Rachael Faustino who, deceiving much of the defence in the process, swept home from close range. It was no more than York deserved, as Northumbria had been completely unable to escape their own D during the first twenty minutes.
The win ends a run of three straight draws in BUCS Northern Conference 3B and keeps them hot on the heels of the division leaders. Photograph Peter Iveson.
Northumbria, who had perhaps forgotten goals are needed to win games, were suddenly spurred into action by York’s opener. They began to pose a little bit more of a threat to the home side, especially on the break where they were able to engage in some bright counter-attacking play. However the next chance fell to York again, an effort by Andrea Pisesky was nicely saved by Dobson in the Leeds goal. Just before the half time whistle Northumbria fashioned out their only chance of the half: forward Steff Clish took the ball past two defenders and shot just wide. While it didn’t threaten Beanie Usher in the York goal it did serve as a reminder to York that their one goal cushion may not be sufficient. As the half came to a close York would have been content with their performance, looking good going forward and not being genuinely threatened at the back.
Whatever was said during the Northumbria team talk seemed to have an effect as they began the second half very positively. The energetic Clish had two opportunities to get her side into the game. On both occasions she was thwarted by the impressive Usher, the second of which followed a brilliant run by Cliff who, finding herself one on one with the rapidly oncoming keeper, attempted to move past her but just took the ball too far as the open goal gaped.
Just as Northumbria were getting a foothold in the game York grabbed a second. Some intricate build-up play in the box meant the ball found its way to Emily Lucas who fired the ball home across Dobson. Lucas’ finish demonstrated the difference between the two sides – while Northumbria were able to play some nice hockey their finishing never truly threatened – while York were clinical. With time seeping away, Hannah Dracard missed a good opportunity to get her team back in when she failed to connect with a cross at the back post. York closed the game out and ended up victorious.
Next week the women’s team will look to get another victory against Sheffield seconds, who sit bottom of the division. Photograph Peter Iveson.
Despite there being no individual that stood out as such – today’s victory came under the category of team performance more than anything else – Charlie Bartlett and captain Anna Smith were always dependable and gave the team some good attacking momentum with their intelligent passes. The team will be happy with this victory and will look for more success as they continue their BUCS campaign against the University of Sheffield seconds next week.
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^i took those pictures