We’ve travelled back to September 2014 as North East Regional Premier League promotion hopefuls York City Ladies face an important early visit to rivals Hull City Ladies.
The Minsterbelles were actually seeking a league double having already defeated their highly-rated opponents 3-2 at home just four days earlier despite finding themselves training at the interval. Beth Clayton, Ruth Brazier and Jazz Whitwell were each on target.
Nikki Brown (left) and Lauren Shuttleworth helped the Minsterbelles towards a big victory
That had followed a 2-0 victory on the opening day of the campaign as Whitwell and Louise Ross eventually put paid to visitors Scunthorpe & Bottesford.
And York were to continue their impressive start to proceedings when racing into an outstanding 3-0 interval lead at Hull University.
First player of the game Lauren Shuttleworth shrugged off a challenge and lifted her finish perfectly over advancing goalkeeper Kathryn Batte to find an empty net.
It was to get even better for the Belles when midfielder Nikki Brown surged beyond a couple of opponents in trademark style and drove low into the far corner.
York further added to that with the unmarked Brown heading in her second of the afternoon from a corner and leaving them well in-charge at the break.
However, the Tigresses were also up amongst the title-favourites and fought back with a couple of replies after the restart.
Record goalscorer Rebecca Beech expertly replicated Shuttleworth’s opening strike when chipping over keeper Chloe Precious
Beech was then allowed far too much space inside the area following Sarah Owen’s cross from the right and easily slotted inside the near post.
But York were to restamp their authority when skipper Sara Renfrew’s flighted delivery witnessed striker Ross racing away and once again clearing oncoming keeper Batte.
The Belles went on to add a fifth goal after Whitwell’s angled pass towards the right was smashed into the far corner of the net by substitute Megan Bramham – to record a third straight triumph and maintain their perfect start to the season.
Hull City Ladies: Kathryn Batte, Helen Fordon, Claire Goforth, Megan Render, Jo Symington, Stacey Hubbard, Charlotte McNamara, Sarah Owen, Emma Westmorland, Rebecca Beech, Rachael Cooke
subs: Sian Bentley, Sophie Etherington, Ellice Jackman
Goals: Beech (2)
York City Ladies: Chloe Precious, Josie Hewson, Ruth Brazier, Abbi Webster, Jess Barnes, Sara Renfrew, Beth Clayton, Nikki Brown, Jazz Whitwell, Louise Ross, Lauren Shuttleworth
subs: Megan Bramham
Goals: Shuttleworth, Brown (2), Ross, Bramham
Photos by kind permission of Ian Parker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AaA6Jc-3jk
Video Link: Hull City Ladies FC
