After last week’s home cup game against Bolton, Bootham ladies travelled across the Pennies to face old favourites Warrington. The ladies were looking to get back to winning ways after their home defeat. With Charlotte Broad out for a long time with an ankle injury and Rowan Treagus unavailable, Jess Barnes came into the starting line-up and there was a return for talented teenager Ava Worthy.

Bootham were represented by:

Katie Samson (GK), Lucy Hudson, Ellie Whittaker (C), Ava Worthy, Jess Baker, Jessica Barnes, Natasha Eustance, Nikki Brown and Ruby Shaw.

1st Half

Bootham set the tempo for the game by scoring their first goal within the first 3 minutes when Brown finished from the second post. Worthy added a second when she finished smartly from a looping ball that dropped over her shoulder. Brown completed her hat trick inside 10 minutes before Eustance got her first of the day after a mazy run and finish. Warrington grabbed a well taken goal before Shaw got her first of the game when she finished from in front. Barnes, in her first start smashed home the ball from outside the D before Brown got her 4th of the half. As half time approached Eustance scored from her own half after a wayward pass from the Warrington goalkeeper. A brilliant half of controlled attacking futsal saw the visitors well on top at the break.

Half Time: Warrington 1 – Bootham 9

2nd Half

Bootham were always going to struggle to repeat the performance of the 1st half and took their foot of the gas. They looked to continue to control the game and not allow Warrington back into the match. Worthy had two early chances, all from her own endeavours, but couldn’t convert either. Eustance continued to be a thorn in the Warrington side, but she also missed two early chances. The pressure final showed when Brown, Shaw and Worthy combined with some slick passing to see Shaw smash home from close range. Eustance finished her hat trick when another mazy run saw her finish from in front. In another passing move involving Barnes and Baker saw, captain Whittaker got her customary 2nd post goal. Late on Hudson was denied by a smart save before Warrington grabbed a consolation goal. The final word was left to Shaw who hit the foot of the post in the dying seconds.

Full Time: Warrington 2 – Bootham 12

Click here to see images from the game

A delighted Coach Chris spoke to us after the game, ‘Wow what a difference a week makes. That first half was probably the best we have ever played as a team. We controlled the game pretty much from the start, our passing, movement and finishing today was first class. We have worked hard in training on getting close to the goal and finishing our attacks, and today pretty much everything worked. It was always going to be hard to keep that momentum going in the second half and credit to Warrington they never gave up and had a real go at us. I am delighted that we bounced back after last week’s lesson against Bolton, the players could have let it get to them, but they had a brilliant attitude from the off and the score line reflected that.’

He continued by saying, ‘I was delighted by all the players today, again we had 6 different goal scorer, which shows the players are starting to understand the rotations within the team. When you rely on just one player to get you goals, if they have an off day, you are wondering how you are going to score. With so many players joining this season, I have tried to stagger their introduction to the team, and great credit to everyone, some have had to be patient, and take their chances when they comes along. If we are going to get into Tier 1 we need a very strong bench to compete against the likes of Bolton and Birmingham.’

He finished by commenting on some of players, ‘Jess Barnes had an absolute stormer today, and her goal is top quality, another for goal of the season? She has worked so hard in training to get this opportunity and how can I leave her out after this performance? Also, a huge thank you to Charlotte and Lauryn for coming along and supporting the team. Away days can, by their nature, be a bit of a lonely affair, but their support meant the world today, thank you guys!’

Click here to see highlights from the game

Player of The Match as picked by Chris Collins – Jess Barnes – Jess has been patient with her chance to play, and today she took that opportunity and had a blinder! Her movement and passing were first class and she finished the game with a fantastic long-range goal. I love it when players do this as it gives me a real headache for selection for the next game, top job Jess!