Driffield L2 3 - 1 Airedale L1

The ladies 2’s took a ride out to Shipley this Saturday to play Airedale L1’s. The home side had been sitting bottom table but after being narrowly beaten by a low ranking side last week Driffield knew better than to sit on their laurels.

Driffield started with the push back and a forward driving ball right from Di Levitt to Lauren Dinsdale-Young immediately saw Driffield take the upper hand, already 10 yards into the opposition territory.

The team quickly built on this and a fast ball into the D from Helen Holdsworth was met by Levitt who defeated the startled keeper putting points on the board for Driffield at just 4 minutes into the game. This move very much set the tone of the match with the Driffield ladies holding much of the play within the attacking 23.

The girls maintained this pressure and intensity excellently; the midfield, Nicola Guthrie, Alice Walker and Beth Dinsdale-Young were holding possession nicely and the wings Chloe Rhodes and Lauren Johnstone providing channels for release. Despite this Airedale defended well and kept the attackers from making shots on goal.

Airedale were fighting hard and saw a glimmer of hope, winning possession they broke into the away sides half quickly taking the Driffield team by surprise and leaving an Airedale forward unmarked in the D; the opportunity was not wasted and the Airedale striker went for goal; the shot rebounded off the post but hit the back of Driffield keeper, Riona Welburn, and rolled over the goal line levelling the score. The Driffield squad quickly regrouped and a promising drive into the was only stopped by the Airedale keeper taking out both Johnstone and the ball.

Half Time Score 1-1

The girls gathered their thoughts, and oranges, at half time and went back onto the pitch. Again, they held the lions share of possession but Airedale defended well. However, grit and determination payed off and a fast paced slip from the base line from Lauren Dinsdale-Young was finished by Bry Sykes at top D seeing a second goal for Driffield putting them back, deservedly, in the lead.

Backs Holdsworth and Watson were able to venture further up the pitch to assist in the attack safe in the knowledge that Ellen Calder or Captain Charlotte Smith would hold the fort until reinforcements were back, if needed. It didn’t take long for Driffield to find the weakness in the Airedale back line and a mistake in their D saw them concede a short corner to Driffield. This gave the girls the chance they had been waiting for and a straight strike at top D from Sophie Watson was met by Sykes on the left post and deflected neatly behind the Airedale keeper solidifying the teams lead.

The final whistle blew with a score of 3-1 to the Driffield side, ironically all goals scored by them! It was a fast paced game and Driffield were undoubtedly the stronger and more disciplined side; their team spirit, skill on the ball and communication furnished them with all the essentials to come away with a win and to secure their position at 3rd in the league.

A thank you must go to Co-Captain Jenny Dawson for travelling to Shipley to support her team and manage the substitutions despite injury preventing her from playing. The girls travel to Lincoln next week to play the young Lindum 2’s squad; where, without a doubt, Driffield will be looking to continue their winning ways.

Man of the Match: Sophie Watson