National football semi-final ends in brave defeat for York College
YORK College Women’s Football team’s brave bid for national glory ended in a 3-1 semi-final defeat to Hartpury College.
A spectacular Chloe Harris strike only proved a consolation on the 3G pitch at Sim Balk Lane after three quick second-half efforts had put the Gloucestershire visitors in the ascendancy following an evenly-contested first 45 minutes.
Harris found the net off an upright from close to the byline as the hosts refused to surrender but it proved too little, too late in the their English Colleges Football Association Play-Off last-four clash.
The match represented a farewell appearance for captain Hannah Langford, who has also played for the English Colleges team and Huddersfield Town Women over the past two years.
Harris, Rosie Bell and Liberty Courtney were making their final outing for the team too.
Despite the loss, it has still been an incredibly successful season for the team.
Building on last year's ECFA National Cup triumph, the women won their ECFA Elite League title at the first time of asking and the Association of Colleges' Regional Championships.
They also went on to represent the Yorkshire and Humber region at the AOC National Finals where they finished runners-up.
Next season's squad, meanwhile, will still benefit from the services of York City Ladies goalkeeper Becky Sidwell and York City Ladies Development Squad duo Ruby Watt and Beth McLaughlin.
Sports Development Centre Coordinator Stu Horsfield said: “Despite Wednesday's disappointing defeat new standards have been set and there are still targets to reach and more trophies to be won as York College Women's football continues to set the standard for the city and the wider area. The future is still bright and there are lots of reasons to be optimistic for this wonderful team of young women."
