YORK City Ladies battled to an action-packed 6-5 victory over Norton & Stockton Ancients for their first win of the competitive season.

After disappointing back-to-back defeats to start the season, in a 3-0 loss to Chorley Women before a 6-0 hammering by Cheadle Town, Chris Holloway’s side are off the mark after turning their attention to the FA Women’s National League cup at Tadcaster Albion’s Young Guns Arena.

A sensational hat-trick from from Katie Astle, paired by a brace from Faye Singleton and an additional goal Ocean Rolandsen saw the Minsterbelles advance in the Determining round, meaning that York will enter this year’s League Cup, whilst Norton & Stockton head into the league plate.

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It was a fast start to the 11-goal thriller at Tadcaster, as Milly Ash delivered onto the head of Singleton, who nodded home her first of the evening.

Norton & Stockton drew level just five minutes later through a composed finish from Sophie Curle, before Astle picked out Rolandsen in a prominent area, who could not direct her strike on target.

With 27 minutes played, the visitors were ahead for the first time in the contest. Bianca Owens, who also scored a hat-trick, bagged her first with an arrowed header into the bottom corner.

City were soon level as Ash threaded a brilliant through ball to Astle, who slid an effort into the bottom corner.

The next five minutes would be enjoyable for York, who scored twice in two minutes as Singleton produced a clean finish from a well-worked move, before Astle doubled the advantage with an impressive low strike.

Norton would add one final goal to end an incredible half of football, with Louise Atkinson narrowing the deficit.

With supporters only just regaining their breath from the first 45, Rolandsen quickly struck a superb free-kick into the top corner for York’s fifth of the contest.

Just three minutes later, Norton again added to the scoreline, with Owens registering her second of the afternoon. Shortly prior, substitute Ash Coyle had been shown a second yellow for the visitors, who were reduced to 10.

York City Ladies celebrate their FA Women's National League cup win.York City Ladies celebrate their FA Women's National League cup win. (Image: Kai Connell)

Owens had opportunities to draw the Ancients level, missing the target from back-to-back free-kicks in dangerous positions, before Astle secured breathing room to complete her hat-trick with a directed header past Kelsie Moore.

Norton were persistent and notched one final goal in stoppage-time, as Owen completed a hat-trick of her own.

A thrilling match and a first competitive win of the season for the Minsterbelles.

YORK CITY LADIES: SIDWELL, HESLOP, HAYHURST, SMITH, CATTLE, GIBBS, ROLANDSEN, SINGLETON, ASH, JONES, ASTLE

SUBS: HARCASTLE, FOSTER, PALEY, BRIERLEY, SHUTTLEWORTH, GORE, LENDHILL