Driffield came away with all three points in a thrilling 5–4 league victory over Leeds University 1st team on Saturday at Weetwood, with a hat-trick from girlie of the game Hannah Horsley leading the charge in a high-scoring, end-to-end battle; the first real test for the Driffield ladies in this league.
The match burst into life early, with a lot of pressure from the University side early on, and a misunderstanding in the defensive D saw the Uni take the first goal. Horsley opened the scoring for Driffield with a class finish, striking the ball from the top of the D and landing it just above the backboards - impossible for the Uni keeper. Leeds University hit back quickly with a goal of their own, turning the tide and putting Driffield back under pressure.
Refusing to be rattled, Driffield regrouped, and Hannah Atkinson drew them level just before the break with a well-taken goal.
The second half delivered more drama. Bella Byass ruffled some feathers in the midfield after the break to see what the University were made of, Bronwyn Walker-Rouse added Driffield’s third with a confident poke in from a close-range strike before the uni levelled-up again. A short corner strike from Horsley took Driffield into the lead, but Leeds Uni refused to go down quietly, drawing level with a quick break away goal. Charlotte Braidwood-Smith managed to pick out Hannah Horsley in the D who skilfully skipped past the Uni keeper to lead 5-4. Driffield's defence held firm in the closing stages to secure a valuable league win on the road.