York City Ladies are bidding for a record eighth County Cup this weekend when taking on Redcar Town Ladies at FA Headquarters in Stokesley – and these are the players expected to be chasing a third consecutive triumph:
Leigh Bamford (Goalkeeper)
Already with recent County Cup final experience after being in goal for the reserves when narrowly losing on penalties to the club’s own first-team last season. Having originally joined City in November 2016, Leigh was promoted into the senior ranks for the start of the current campaign, and has since been their most regular used keeper. Appearances: 8
Emily Garland (Goalkeeper)
Only joined the club towards the end of last year, soon making her debut in the 3-0 home defeat to Norton & Stockton Ancients in late November. Emily offers strong competition in a key area of the side in the continuing absence of the sidelined Chloe Precious. Appearances: 3
Photo: Ian Parker
Leigh Bamford has been City’s most regularly used goalkeeper this season
Josie Hewson (Right-Back)
Attacking full-back who already has around a century of appearances and significant County Cup success during her original four-year stay with the club. Following a couple of brief spells at WPL outfits Brighouse Town and Guiseley Vixens, Josie returned to York last September and has since been a regular in the side, while also simultaneously agreeing to a dual registration arrangement with the former of those two clubs only last week. Appearances: 10
Abbi Webster (Centre-Back)
Long-serving centre-back who is already a multiple County Cup winner, and includes starting the latest final eleven months ago. She continues to be a significant mainstay of the ongoing success in the competition, while an always inspirational figure to the rest of her colleagues. Appearances: 10
Photo: Ian Parker
Teenager Charlie Shaw is a first-team regular after moving up from the reserves
Laura Midgley (Centre-Back)
Joined the club from Bradford City in the summer and has recently returned to action after picking up an early-season injury. Scored her first goal in the 1-1 home draw with Farsley Celtic in February. Appearances: 10; Goals: 1
Jess Barnes (Defender)
Despite being one of the younger players, Jess is another with notable previous County Cup final success. Capable of appearing anywhere across the back-four, she also spent much of last season carrying out goalkeeping duties. Back to mainly her outfield role this term, she offers both versatility and dependency in equal measures. Appearances: 8
Photo: Ian Parker
Former captain Sara Renfrew has scored before for York in the cup final
Charlie Shaw (Left-Back)
The teenager’s sudden rise has been particularly impressive having only begun with the reserves at the start of last season. She was another on the losing side in last year’s memorable all-City final, although Charlie has since proved to be a real winner while firmly establishing herself as a first-team regular despite her tender years. Appearances: 12
Nikki Brown (Midfield)
An all-action midfield dynamo who has already helped the club lift the trophy on numerous previous occasions. She’s started the last three of those triumphs, while also scoring the vital goal that began their dramatic comeback last season. A regular collector of both the player of the game and player of the season awards, Nikki hasn’t yet found the net this term – but don’t bet against it. Appearances: 6
Photo: Ian Parker
Kayleigh Davis is a multiple cup winner and inspirational leader for the team
Beth Clayton (Midfield)
Another experienced midfielder who was on the bench last time having started the previous couple of winning finals. Usually operates in a deeper role but also capable of getting forward, and another important squad member during the ongoing County Cup domination. Appearances: 4
Sara Renfrew (Midfield)
Former captain and yet another multiple-County Cup winner, including scoring in the final four years ago. Also well capable in defence and totally dependable in whatever role she is assigned, Sara is perhaps surprisingly still awaiting her first goal of this season. Appearances: 10 
Photo: Ian Parker
Teenage forward Anna Whitehead is one of City’s brightest young talents
Lindsay Jordan (Winger)
One of five players who stepped up from the reserves over the summer, former North Ferriby Ladies winger Lindsay unfortunately missed last year’s final after suffering a shoulder injury just a few weeks earlier. She scored six goals last season while also recently claiming her first at senior level during the 4-1 victory against RACA Tynedale. Appearances: 5; Goals: 1
Anna Whitehead (Winger)
Teenager Anna moved up from reserve team football at the start of the campaign – and has since settled in really well despite her relative inexperience. The former Pocklington forward was another first-time senior goalscorer against Tynedale, having been on the bench for the reserves in last year’s dramatic showpiece. Appearances: 6; Goals: 1
Photo: Ian Parker
Striker Alice Turner scored a hat-trick in the semi-final against Pocklington
Megan Bramham (Midfield/Striker)
Although finishing last season as fourteen-goal top scorer, Meg has played in virtually every position for the club in the past, including in goal. Yet another multiple winner of the trophy, she struck the only goal in the 2012 final, and is another major reason for the continuing success in the competition. Appearances: 8; Goals: 2
Kayleigh Davis (Midfield/Striker)
Former player-manager who has already helped the club towards a number of triumphs in the competition. Kayleigh scored six goals last season and currently has a couple to her name this time around; her experience and leadership will be particularly invaluable for the younger members of the team. Appearances: 10; Goals: 2
Photo: Ian Parker
Goal-ace Lucy Lendhill is looking to fire the Belles to a record eighth trophy
Alice Turner (Striker)
After impressively scoring nine goals as a newcomer for the reserves last season, Alice was promoted into the senior ranks at the start of the current campaign. She’s since responded with five goals, notably including a semi-final hat-trick against Poppleton, to leave her as current top scorer. Found herself named on the bench in last year’s final behind the reserves’ freescoring pair of Sophie Tinson and Ellie Randall. Appearances: 10; Goals: 5
Lucy Lendhill (Striker)
The regular goal-threat that every successful club needs, Lucy has amassed 31 over the past couple of seasons; those including nineteen since stepping up from the reserves midway through the 2015-16 campaign. She has four to her credit this time despite restricted appearances, with recent doubles against both Boldon CA Villa and Tynedale. Appearances: 5; Goals: 4
COUNTY CUP FINAL: SUNDAY 8th APRIL, 2.00PM – YORK CITY LADIES v REDCAR TOWN LADIES AT NORTH RIDING COUNTY FA HEADQUARTERS IN STOKESLEY
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