Driffield L2 1 - 1 Hull L2

A chilly but bright start promoted high spirits for the Driffield L2’s before the match. After 2 weeks away they were back on home turf this week to play Kingston-upon-Hull L2’s.

Hull started with the pushback but the Driffield side, quick off the mark, did not allow them to get comfortable and rapidly stole back possession pressing the Hull side hard; the fast paced play from the forwards Chloe Rhodes, Kathryn Bumby, Di Levitt and Lauren Johnstone immediately tested the Hull defence but they remained strong disarming this promising lead.

The visiting side remained physically strong and despite efforts from the midfield Beth Dinsdale-Young, Bry Sykes and Nicola Guthrie, who were battling hard and redistributing the ball to the forwards, there was little success at breaching the Hull defensive line. A penalty corner conceded by the opposition gave the home side a chance but they were unable to convert this into a goal.

The match continued with end to end play testing the Driffield defence; Helen Holdsworth, Lucy Welburn, Mags Purnell and co-captain Charlotte Smith remained ever strong and gave keeper, Becks Lalor, little to worry about.

The half time whistle blew with no points on the board for either team but injured co-captain Jenny Dawson, supporting from the sideline and coordinating substitutions, ensured that this did not dampen spirits as the team rolled out into the next phase of the game.

The second half began in a very similar vein; both teams fighting hard and testing each other physically and mentally. As things appeared to be at a stalemate, the Driffield forwards earned themselves a short corner. A quick team talk top D planned the attack – a fast injection and a perfect strike from Dinsdale-Young allowed Sykes to deflect the ball behind the Hull keeper taking the ladies 1-0 up.

However, the celebrations were short lived, Hull retaliated from their pushback and despite valiant efforts from the Driffield defence Lalor was the teams last hope; the Hull forward managed a quick strike that hammered the backboard leveling the score.

At loggerheads, the teams battled right to the final whistle but neither team could manage another goal. Despite some fabulous play across the board by Driffield they were not rewarded for their hard work; the draw seeing them slip to 4th place in the league.

Next week the ladies face another Hull squad, Hull University 1’s. This fierce local derby will be played at the University Sports Centre, 14.30pb. The ladies will be keen to remain unbeaten as this game marks the halfway point for the season.

Final Score: Driffield L2’s 1 – 1 Kingston-upon-Hull L2’s

Scorer: Bry Sykes

Girly: Beth Dinsdale-Young