Ladies’ losing run draws to close at last

AFTER seven consecutive losses, City of York Ladies finally secured a first point of the season in the North Hockey Women’s League top flight.

Goals from Lauran Horne and Lindsay O’Brien earned a 2-2 draw against fifth-placed Sheffield Hallam.

After going behind to an unlucky deflection, a well executed short corner took Hallam into a two goal lead.

However, York showed great resilience and found their form. Harriet Jeanes and Holly Millar moved the ball well but York initially spurned a number of attacking opportunities.

Horne pulled a goal back in the final minutes of the first half following a cross from Naomi Harkness.

That goal inspired York who showed more hunger than Hallam in the second half. O’Brien equalised with a superb reverse hit that flew over the goalkeeper’s head.

Lucy Lawrence, Steph Wilkinson and Ella Deighton stood strong at the back but York were unlucky not to snatch victory in the final stages.

York II are top of the Yorkshire Women’s Hockey League premier division after a 5-2 victory at Sheffield Hallam II. Vicky Skilton and Fay Chapman scored in the first half but it was still 2-2 at the interval. Lily Rowntree slid in at the back post to make it 3-2 which lifted York’s spirits.

Rowntree scored again before Skilton sealed the win with a reverse flick over the goalkeeper.

York III fought hard to hold on for a 4-3 victory over University of Leeds III in the premier division.

The match started well for York with a direct ball from Jess Hall in defence to Jess Shearer who hit a fantastic shot into the top left of the goal. Leeds equalised just before half-time but York started the second half well, winning a short corner which was converted by Hall to restore York’s lead.

York began to dominate and a fantastic run down the left from Alice Birchall led to Shearer finding the backboard again.

Leeds pulled a goal back to make the score 3-2 but Birchall hammered home to give York a two goal lead with 10 minutes to play. In a tense finale, Leeds reduced the arrears but York managed to hold on to the lead.

York VI won for the first time in four games at home to Halifax II in division one. A series of short corners were well defended by Halifax but York finally broke through 20 minutes into the second half when Lauren Susjnara pounced after Abby Collins’s initial effort was blocked.

York V enjoyed a 4-0 victory at Thirsk III in division four north. Heather Macdonald opened the scoring with a penalty flick after being brought down by the goalkeeper.

Macdonald went on to score all four York goals and there were also impressive displays from Maisy Lawrence, Tanya Cooper, Lynn Bowes, and Sharon Clark.

York Badgers were unlucky to come away with nothing from a tight game against Thirsk. Goalkeeper Cara Mackay made a series of saves but was unable to prevent Thirsk establishing a 3-0 lead. Luke Harbord pulled a goal back.