STAMFORD Bridge under-14 girls were unlucky to lose 1-0 at City of York Girls’ Nine-a-side League rivals Scotton Scorchers.

The only goal of the game came early in the first half when the league’s top scorer Caroline Cronin followed up one of her team-mates’ parried shots to net from close range.

Bridge almost levelled on ten minutes after captain Jess Wills fired a first-time shot narrowly wide following a corner won by Ellie Whytock.

At the other end, player-of-thematch Olivia Cant had to be alert to prevent Scotton doubling their lead but the visitors, sponsored by Jorvik Construction, again went close when an excellent run out of defence by Alice Ella teed up a chance for Poppy Clancey that was well saved.

In the second half, Bridge continued to apply pressure with Alex Harvey shooting inches wide and Ellie Fitzmaurice seeing a volley saved.

The Scorchers’ only real chance of the second half came from a freekick that goalkeeper Georgia Stanton tipped over the bar.

With minutes left on the clock, good work in midfield by Ellie Parkin then found Emma Nelson free on the left and her cross was flicked on by Kirsten Wright but Bridge were denied a point by another fine stop.