Varsity Women’s Football: York 1-0 Hull

The women’s footballers, glad to play a match away from the BUCS league which has not been particularly successful so far this year, were looking to emerge victorious against a tall Hull side on 22 Acres.

However, after only 10 minutes, the game was stopped for a lengthy period due to a horrible injury sustained by York ‘keeper Meg Phillips. The Hull striker was one-on-one with Phillips, who rushed out to make a terrific block. Unfortunately, a stray stud caught Phillips in the mouth, leaving her polaxed on the floor, blood streaming everywhere from the wound.

She had to be taken off to hospital for stiches, and after a 20 minutes delay, we resumed, Savannah Green coming on up front with Rose Hooks, normally York’s first choice striker, going in goal.

The game resumed at quite a tempo, and it was not long before Green found herself through on goal, rounding the keeper only to see her shot hit the side netting from a tight angle.

The half ebbed and flowed without any real penetration from either side, until the one moment of real quality in the game. Midfielder Sam Barker picked the ball up about 30 yards out, sized up her options and seeing no-one in the box, went for goal, delightfully lobbing the Hull keeper, the ball sailing into the roof of the net. Cue wild touchline celebrations.

The score stayed as it was until half time, and after the break it was much the same, with York playing the better football and creating more chances than their opposition. Green once again rounded the keeper but failed to score, before Marte Wang had two chances in quick succession, first shooting high and wide from a couple of yards out at the back post when she really should have done better, and then firing a half volley wide from the edge of the box.

York captain Rachael Carpenter was extremely lucky to not have a penalty given against her by the ancient referee after a wild lunge in the box which outraged the Hull side. Nevertheless, the game ended 1-0, a richly deserved win, and it really should have been more than just the solitary goal. Hooks was incredibly assured in goal, although in truth she was never majorly worked.

Carpenter was delighted, saying “the team played with great tempo and energy, and the goal was fantastic. Megan was so brave in goal, and we hope she is ok.”

Vision MOTM: Sam Barker (honorary mention to Meg Phillips).

(photo: Oliver Todd)