York City Ladies banished any relegation fears with a thumping 13-0 victory against bottom-of-the-table Wakefield at Haxby Road – their biggest success since winning 14-0 at the same opponents almost exactly two years ago.
The Minsterbelles took an early lead with in-form striker Alice Turner on target for the third successive game, and in the process raising her own tally for the season to eight.
Teenager Anna Whitehead soon added another and midfielder Nikki Brown’s rapid brace finally opened her own account for the campaign.
But York didn’t stop there as first Josie Hewson and then Lindsay Jordan further extended their advantage to 6-0 by the break.
Photo: Ian Parker
Nikki Brown scored four times as the Minsterbelles went goal crazy
Into the second-half, Helen Winterburn – on her return from injury – struck home a 25-yard free-kick and Brown soon completed her hat-trick. She had also managed the same feat during that huge win at Wakefield a couple of years ago.
The highly-rated Hewson – who actually appeared on dual registration for WPL outfit Brighouse Town in midweek – then doubled her own contribution and fellow regular Sara Renfrew also got on the scoresheet.
The Belles weren’t finished, with player of the game Brown going on to claim her fourth of the afternoon and both Jordan and Whitehead adding to their respective tallies as the overall final total increased to thirteen.
Photo: Ian Parker
Teenage prospect Anna Whitehead netted a double for York
Elsewhere, leaders Durham Cestria thrashed Wallsend BC 15-0 to remain three points clear, although having played three more games than their nearest challengers. Megan Elliott (4), Sophie Hodgson (3), Molly Holder (3), Jenny Bitzer (2), Ellis Dalgleish, Caroline Dixon and Hannah Greenwood with the goals.
However, Norton & Stockton Ancients kept up the pressure by crushing Castleford White Rose 8-1 despite falling behind to Lauren Breen’s early opener. Courtney Corrie and Nyci Thorns both scored hat-tricks alongside Kate McSorley’s double.
Farsley Celtic impressively won 3-1 at RACA Tynedale in the only other league fixture.
York City Ladies: Emily Garland, Josie Hewson, Laura Midgley, Abbi Webster, Charlie Shaw, Sara Renfrew, Nikki Brown, Helen Winterburn, Lindsay Jordan, Alice Turner, Anna Whitehead
subs: Rachel Hildreth
Goals: Turner, Whitehead (2), Brown (4), Hewson (2), Jordan (2), Winterburn, Renfrew
Wakefield Ladies: Sophie Bickerdyke, Francisca Boafa, Vicky Brooke, Katie Hawkshaw, Julia Hogan, Tara Nolan, Charlotte Parker, Sophie Parrish, Kennedy Power, Charlotte Roberts, Emily Wright
subs: Zoe Kerins
Photos by kind permission of Ian Parker
