Driffield L2 1 - 0 Northallerton L1

With last weeks high octane match still ringing in the ears of the Ladies 2’s they were prepared to bring their best play to face Northallerton Ladies 1’s.

The squad started strong with the push back, immediately testing North’s wit with some quick passes from the off. The ladies held possession with some good movement around the midfield from Beth Dinsdale-Young, Sophie Watson and Nicola Guthrie. Finding the wing Driffield made a drive forwards; out pacing the North midfield and cruising through their defence; a strike on goal from Lauren Dinsdale-Young found the ball caught in the Northallerton keepers pads. The ladies were unfortunate to not have a flick but the umpire decided on a short corner that the Blues were unable convert.

This gave the home side a chance and they initiated a fast counter-attack their quickest player, number 25, finding the Driffield D and taking a shot. A superb save from keeper Becks Lalor allowed Co-Captain, Charlotte Smith, to clear the ball. Finding the right wing, Chloe Rhodes, drove the base line perfectly dropping the ball to the P spot where forward Kathryn Bumby was waiting; an immaculate strike found the bottom left corner of the goal with a satisfying smash.

Heads high, Driffield continued to dominate the first half, Mags Purnell and Helen Holdsworth working hard at the back to disarm potential threats moving the ball back up the pitch to find wingers Lauren Dinsdale-Young and Lauren Johnstone. Another successful drive found Di Levitt taking on the talented North keeper; a successful dive saved the initial attempt and a quick work round to Bry Sykes saw Driffield have another chance but the shot was saved on the goal line by a fast acting North defender and quickly cleared from the danger zone.

On the offence Northallerton were expertly finding feet when it counted, earning themselves 3 penalty corners in the first half. Solid defending from the Driffield squad and some astounding saves from Lalor ensured that the first half finished with the Blues on top.

The second half continued in a similar vain; North had tweaked their dynamic and managed a few more chances earning themselves a further 4 penalty corners but were still unable to find the Driffield backboard. As the final 10 minutes approached the home side were desperate to equalise but an intense period of scrappy play in the Driffield 23 still wasn’t enough to phase the Driffield defence who saved several attempts on a goal.

Fabulous communication and teamwork across the Driffield squad ensured they were the superior side maintaining their structure and calm throughout the game. Going home with a win and 3 points in the bag means they are back in 3rd place in the division overtaking rivals Pocklington 1’s. The ladies are back on home turf next week where they play top of the league York 2’s; this will definitely be a challenging match but the ladies will, no doubt, give their all.

Final Score: Northallerton L1’s 0 - 1 Driffield L2’s

Girly: Becks Lalor