On Saturday 1 February Bootham Ladies hosted their first home game of the new year, when they entertained Warrington at St John’s University. After the away defeat to Sunderland, the team wanted to concentrate on improving their performance and getting back to winning ways.

As this was a rearranged game, Heather Smith, Ava Worthy and Ruby Shaw were all away on England U19 duty, and Rowan Treagus, Charlotte Broad and Harriett Chadwick were also unavailable. Back into the squad came captain Ellie Whittaker, Jess Barnes, Suzy Collins, Izabella Fernandes and a first game of the season for talented teenager Sophie Tomlinson.

The starting 5 were Jess Baker, Nikki Brown, Ellie Whittaker (C), Allegra Sellschop-Evans (GK) and Natasha Eustance. On the bench were Jess Barnes, Suzy Collins, Sophie Tomlinson, Izabella Fernandes, Kim Samson and Katie Samson (GK).

1st Half

Bootham knew they needed a strong start and got it when a long pass from Whittaker was diverted into the goal via Baker’s leg and head! Baker should have had a second moments later after good work from Eustance and Brown. Bootham got their second when Eustance stole the ball and ran through unopposed. A long-range strike from Whittaker got Bootham’s third, before Brown grabbed her second straight from the Warrington kick-off. Great work involving the whole team saw Baker poke home from the second post. Chances for Tomlinson, Baker and Brown came and went before on the stroke of halftime Whittaker scored from a tight angle.

Half Time – Bootham 6 – 0 Warrington

2nd Half

Whittaker missed an early chance to complete her hat-trick before Warrington scored from a free kick. Bootham came roaring back, and Brown grabbed her second goal after good work by Baker. Eustance was causing the Warrington defence all sorts of problems and she got her second with a long range shot. She completed her hat-trick moments later after good work from Samson and Brown, saw her finish from in front. Warrington got another goal back before goalkeeper Samson saw her long-range shot take a deflection off her sister and end up in the back of the net. Collins saw her long range shot sail just wide of the far post, before Brown completed her hat-trick right at the death.

Full Time – Bootham 11 – 2 Warrington

Coach Chris spoke to us after the game, and said, ‘I am happy with that, we set a target before the game, and we achieved that. Warrington gave us a different challenge today in the way they played compared with other teams in our league, and it took us a bit of time to get used to it, be we got there in the end. Players must learn to see what is in front of them on court and adapt to how they play individually and as a team.

With 6 players from the normal squad missing, and the very late drop out of Charlotte, it was always going to be difficult to dominate games like we know we should. That said, the players worked well and at times played some nice passing futsal. Warrington dropped off and made it very difficult to play through them, something at times we struggled to do. We need to make the court big and move the ball quickly, with fewer touches.

Next, we host Manchester at home in a few weeks and we really want to spoil their championship push. They will provide us with a different challenge, and I know it is one the players will relish. Huge thank you to everyone who came down to support the ladies today, we really do appreciate your support, and we hope to see you all again very soon.’

Player of the Match as chosen by match sponsors the Elliott Family was Nikki Brown – another fabulous performance from Nikki, with a hat-trick and several assists also. She is one of the most consistent players on court, both in attack and defence, and another who really does help the younger players in the team – top job Nikki!

Huge well done to our fabulous mascot, Isabella, who enjoyed her time in the spotlight. We hope to see much more of you at our games in the very near future, thank you for your amazing support today.

A few images from Saturdays game: