Parkin nets late winner for Minsterbelles to ease relegation fears

A 93rd minute strike from substitute Abby Parkin helped York to the all-important win at the Horsfall Stadium on Easter Sunday.

The visitors’ intentions were made clear from the start, and in the fifth minute Jess Holder flashed a dangerous cross right in front of goal with nobody in blue there to finish.

Jess Heald had York’s first shot of the afternoon in the 10th minute, but the full-back failed to hit the target with her powerful strike.

Holder, who was causing problems for the Bradford defence, forced the home keeper into a save in the 17th minute, a shot the goalkeeper collected at the second attempt.

York came agonisingly close to drawing first blood in the 23rd minute as Holder’s cross found Holly Findlay at the back post, but she could only fire wide. 

Fliss Jones was next to try her luck for the Minsterbelles, but her effort ended in the goalkeeper’s arms.

With York continuing to dominate, they created their final chance of the half in the 38th minute, Holder again managing to work a shooting opportunity before seeing her shot saved by the keeper.

Jess Holder (left) was a constant threat for the Minsterbelles against Bradford. (Image: Ian Parker)

The Minsterbelles picked up where they left off in the second half, as Jones was denied from point blank range by a defender a minute after the restart.
York were left scratching their heads again in the 55th minute, another flurry of chances came and went.

Firstly, Milly Ash drew a save from the keeper, before the rebound fell to half-time substitute Rosie Bell who couldn’t quite sort her feet to finish.

York kept the move alive though and Jones got a toe to the ball, but could only direct the cross wide from the centre of the box.

Bell and Holder then fired over the bar and saw a shot denied by the goalkeeper respectively as York continued to pile the pressure onto their West Yorkshire opponents.

In the 73rd minute the visitors turned to the bench for the second time, Abby Parkin came on in place of Hardcastle.

Parkin was quickly involved in the action. Bell’s cross reached her at the back post, the full back hit a half volley over with York continuing to dominate and create chances.

Alice Hughes struck the post in the 83rd minute, with her well-placed header looking to be heading in at the far post, but the effort came back off the upright and somehow stayed out. 

Abby Parkin is mobbed by her teammates after scoring a late winner. (Image: Ian Parker)

It looked as though it would be another one of those afternoons for the Minsterbelles, but they finally broke the deadlock in the 93rd minute.

Parkin charged forward leading the attack, before taking aim and picking out the corner with a brilliant strike to deservedly win the game at the death.

York are back in action for the final time this season with a trip to Barnsley on Sunday, April 30 (2pm).