A late second half comeback from York denied Lancaster victory in the women’s Hockey Seconds fixture.
The match got off to a bright start for Lancaster with a series of early corners testing the York defence. However, a series of loose passes plagued the travelling side at the set piece ensuring they failed to make the decisive breakthrough. The busiest Lancaster player of the first half was without doubt goalkeeper Lara Ranger, whose dynamic feet kept the score goalless leading into the second half. Though Lancaster had the better share of the chances, proficient York passing suggested they would remain a constant threat to the travelling side.
The Red Rose were the first to break the deadlock with Jodie Brumhead scoring from close range after pressure from the corner. Lara Ranger proved to be the difference between the two sides once more, using her feet to defend the Lancaster goal time and time again. A fantastic tackle from Olivia May Chambers to disrupt the York corner put Lancaster back on the front foot with Katie White forcing a goal stopping save from the York keeper. York squandered a fantastic goal scoring opportunity from the counter attack, when their attacker chose to ignore her team mate in space by attempting an effort of her own which was promptly saved by Ranger. The home side were punished profusely for this mistake, when Lancaster’s Megan Cledwyn found herself in space to slide a shot past the keeper. Lancaster almost thought they had scored again when a goal from Chamber’s was disallowed.
Despite the two goal advantage, York proved that they were far from down and out when the outstretched effort of Ranger failed to keep the home side from forcing their way back into the game. A late yellow card for Chambers looked to turn things from bad to worse for the Red Rose before a moment of poor communication at the back saw Lancaster concede a cheap equaliser.
Lancaster will be desperately disappointed with their inability to hold on to a hard fought lead yet will take pride in a spirited performance.
