Bootham Ladies entertained Loughborough Students in round 3 of the FA National Series Women’s North League. After a defeat and a draw in their previous 2 games, the ladies were looking to get their first win of the season. Jessica Barnes made her first appearance of the season and Lauryn Zareba-Gilbank started in goal in a strong Bootham squad.

Bootham were represented by:

Lauryn Zareba-Gilbank (GK), Charlotte Broad, Rowan Treagus, Ellie Whittaker, Ava Worthy, Lucy Hudson, Jess Baker, Jessica Barnes, Natasha Eustance, Suzy Collins and Ruby Shaw.

1st Half

With the coach’s comments ringing in their ears, Bootham took an early two goal lead with goals from Treagus and Whittaker, who finished smartly at the second post. Loughborough came storming back, and two goals drew them level. Bootham regrouped and started to move the ball better and were rewarded with goals from Treagus and a first of the season for Broad, when Treagus’s shot came back off the post. Loughborough scored again to reduce the deficit but a quick-fire brace from Shaw saw Bootham move into a 6-3 lead. Loughborough refused to give in and scored just before the end of the first half.

Half Time: Bootham 6 – Loughborough 4

2nd Half

Coach Chris asked the players to move the ball quicker in the second half and not allow Loughborough to press the ball. In an even start to the second half, both sides traded chances before a great run from Treagus saw Baker score from inside the D. Loughborough again came back with a stunning free kick before captain Whittaker scored with a clever finish from in front of the goalkeeper, making the score 8-5 to Bootham. A free kick to Loughborough saw Treagus hit in the face from close range with a brave clearance. The impact left her dazed, and she left the court. From the drop ball restart, good pressure from Shaw saw Eustance score her first goal of the season. The goal of the game came next when a move involving every player on court saw Baker smash the ball into the top corner from outside the D. Eustance added her second when a quick pass from Shaw saw her step inside the defender and slot the ball past the goalkeeper. Poor defending by Bootham saw Loughborough grab a late consolation goal.

Full time: Bootham 11 – Loughborough 6

Click here to see images from the game

After the game Coach Chris spoke to us, ‘A very happy coach after that game, we have got our season off and running. It is disappointing for Loughborough to only bring 5 players, but we can only play against what is in front of us. I was happy at the way we controlled the tempo of the game today, and our passing and possession was much better than the last game. We scored some good futsal goals today, and I am pleased for Nat getting her first goals for the club. Ruby scored a couple of great goals and was a post away from a hat-trick, and overall, she looked very impressive today.

He went on to say, ‘In the first half, we gave Loughborough too much credit and stood off them and allowed them to play, but second half we were much more aggressive and caused them so many problems. You can’t allow teams to dictate the game, you must get in their faces and make it hard. I’m please for Jessica Barnes, a good debut with some very good simple first time passing, and Jessica Baker once again on the score sheet – her second was a rocket!’

He finished by saying, ‘What pleased me the most today was the number of different goal scorers. It shows we are starting to understand the rotations of the game, and the players’ movement is allowing everyone to become a possible threat. We have two very big games coming up in the next two weeks, with the visit of Manchester, Tier 2 league leaders and then Bolton, Tier 1 league leaders. Thank you for the amazing support today in a freezing sports hall, and special mention to mascot Jean, she was a little superstar!’

Click here to see highlights from the game

Special thank you to Donna Allan and Paul Ramskill from York City Council Sports Development Department, it was great to have you as our guests and look forward to welcoming you again in the very near future. 

Player of The Match as Picked by Match Sponsor Tammy Uebersax – Charlotte Broad and Rowan Treagus – Tammy couldn’t pick just one player from the game so she decided to award Charlotte and Rowan a joint Player of the Match Award – a first for Bootham Ladies! Well played to both of them, goals for both and a good all round performance, top job!