Wednesday saw York’s newly promoted women’s 1st hockey team secure their first win in the new league this season with a stylish display of talent and teamwork.
York flew out of the blocks and started as they meant to go on with some close opening efforts, securing their first goal in the thirteenth minute. Izi Hutchinson dispatched a clinical short corner with fine work from captain Sally Dolton, cannoning off the post and into the goal.
York St John almost equalised by a misjudged long ball from the midfield rebounding off the York post and back into the D for a striker to narrowly avoid pouncing on. Luckily for York, keeper Laura Porter was quick off her line to clear.
Just before the halftime whistle was blown, York won another short corner after a strong run from Minerva Saner. With the help of a lethal injection into the D, Joely Hartley scored York’s second goal of the match, a fine low strike evading YSJ’s keeper.
By halftime, York had dominated the majority of the match with strong link-up play between Emma “Berry” Beresford and Jill Mercer, teamed with solid defensive work from the back. York knew not to be complacent in the second period and certainly weren’t, terrorising YSJ’s back line and hammering in another 3 goals.
The next two goals were picked up by Mercer and Beresford respectively, both in short corners and both from a powerful drive from Hutchinson, deflected into the goal.
St John, hoping to get on the score sheet, broke away and two midfield players carried the ball up towards York’s D but were denied a goal by the impressive Laura Porter who was rarely called to action in a match York never looked like losing.
Some exquisite skill from Beresford culminated in a fifth York goal, coolly slotting the ball from the top of the D past the YSJ keeper.
Captain Sally Dolton was thrilled with the result, commenting: “It’s a brilliant result and testament to everyone’s perseverance and effort. We proved we can dominate when we need to and this win should make us feel more secure in our league.”