YORK City Ladies Reserves' free-scoring forward Ellie Randall believes a change in playing style has been behind her team's rise this campaign.

The Minsterbelles will be lining-up against their own first-XI in Nether Poppleton on Sunday having progressed into the County Cup Final for the first time in their history.

Meanwhile, Kira Robinson's girls are also now confirmed as finishing fourth in North East Regional League North in only their second season at the higher level.

That's after winning 10 of their 16 league games despite the unfortunate departure of highly-rated manager Luke Templeman in October.

"The formation and the style of play that was brought to us by Luke at the beginning of the season made a massive impact straight away," reflected Randall.

"It is a lot quicker and direct way of getting the ball up the pitch and it has worked really well for us."

She has certainly benefited from being part of a side who are currently within a couple of goals of reaching a century this season, with her own contribution standing at 19.

Indeed, on three separate occasions Randall has rattled in four goals during the same game, maintaining her prolific partnership alongside 21-goal striker Sophie Tinson.

"When I was about 12 I was scoring a hat-trick nearly every game but that was on the seven-a-side pitches," Randall continued.

"After that I was never a big scorer until this season where I was put in the 'number ten' role – the most attacking position I've ever played and definitely my favourite.

"I played for my first-team when I was nine. One of the boys' mums at school asked my dad if I wanted to join the local boys football team and I've played ever since.

"I think my interest in football came from supporting and watching West Ham with my dad. So after that instead of just watching it I wanted to play it as well. Every break at school I'd be playing football with all the boys."

Randall concedes that it's likely to feel strange for her colleagues when facing City Ladies' first-team in the cup final on Sunday.

"It's going to be strange playing in such a competitive game against everyone because we all know one another," she admitted. "So it will be hard to put that at the back of our minds while playing the game."

Also it wouldn't come as any surprise if some of her own current team-mates end up being promoted and playing for their 'opponents' in the near future.

"A lot of the girls have had a really good season this year. They've grown as players and together made a really strong team," Randall added.

"In addition, there are the new players that signed for us this season, like Sophie Tinson.

"It's not always easy coming up into open-age but she's had no problem whatsoever. So I can definitely see players progressing into the first-team."