YORK City Ladies' return to the LNER Community Stadium was backed by a bumper crowd, as the Minsterbelles fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat to Barnsley Women's.

An early chance for the visitors saw a strike fly wide of Becky Sidwell's goal, before Barnsley took the advantage in the match just three minutes in with Louise Biggins prodding the ball home from a corner.

Barnsley took an early dominance with opportunities failing to hit the target, before Ella Duffield curled a strike goalwards, only to be denied by Serena Clarke.

The second-half began with York still within the clash, and there fortunes looked to be taking an upwards trajectory as Barnsley's Natalie Watson was shown a straight red card after upending Faye Singleton.

But having being reduced to ten, Barnsley prevailed. A penalty was awarded to the visitors, with Rosie Axton's initial effort being saved by Sidwell, before the Tykes attacker slotted home the rebound.

It was a third just two minutes later for Barnsley, with Biggins bagging her brace after being threaded through on goal and sliding an effort past Sidwell.

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York were out of the clash and the scoreline became even heavier with one minute of normal time remaining, as Barnsley sub Jodie Michalska followed up a strike which had rattled the crossbar, forcing the ball over the line from close-range.

The Minsterbelles are back in action on Sunday, April 14 (3pm) when welcoming Chester-le-street Town to North Yorkshire.

"It's disappointing in a few areas," Manager Chris Holloway told the media team.

"In the first-half we huffed and puffed in our usual quality in possession, it didn't really cause Barnsley any issues apart from Ella's strike, which was a great effort.

"We spoke before the game on what strengths they had and go a goal down so early.

"The pleasing fact for me is that the girls dug in and we went in at 1-0.

"They are a very tall side and the quality they possess. I was confident that we would be able to stay in the game, it was similar to Leeds when we went a goal down early doors, but we just huffed and puffed today without really causing them any problems."

Holloway was also grateful for the supporters after over 550 fans turned out for the Minsterbelles, but was frustrated that his side couldn't give them anything to celebrate.

"I touched upon it before on how important they are, and in the latter stages of the game they were still cheering every tackle, every pass and that's what hurts a lot.

"We're in a relegation battle but it's another great turnout where we couldn't give them anything to go home and celebrate.

"They know that the girls wear their heart on their sleeves, they play for the badge."

York City Ladies: Sidwell, Jeffels, Cattle, Smith, Collins, Singleton (Gore, 86), Tinson (Gibbs, 45), Duffield (Lendhill, 76), Todsman (Howell, 45), Rolandsen, Brierley (Hodgson, 83)

Attendance: 574