'Heartbreaking', says Senior as City Ladies are cost by late penalty decision
EMILY Senior was left feeling ‘heartbroken’ after a controversial late decision ultimately cost York City Ladies three points on Sunday.
A dramatic 3-3 result against Doncaster Belles was overshadowed by a late penalty decision which would draw the Dons level, which led to yellow cards for two York players due to their objections.
Senior expressed her dismay with the decision, with the Ladies boss first saying: “We’re of course really disappointed that one big decision has ultimately ended in us losing out on the full three points in the final kick of the game.
“I’m immensely proud of my squad today. The players themselves weren’t happy with our mindset slip, from player one to 16.
“We always believed we’d win this game, so it was heartbreaking to see that get taken in the dying seconds.
“Some incredible individual performances, but most importantly, a collective mindset.
“Progress is clear to see and our squad mentally is strong, so now we’re ready to continue to push on in 2025.”
Despite the final controversy, it was a slow start from the Minsterbelles who fell behind early on, courtesy of Arianne Parnham.
A well-worked goal allowed the Doncaster star to coolly slot an effort past Becky Sidwell.
York responded as Rolandsen saw a shot kept out by Eloise Bywater, before Jess Holder couldn’t convert from close-range.
With just shy of half an hour played, City equalised as Holder, from distance, rifled an unstoppable effort that looped over Bywater.
Their lead would be short-lived however, as Doncaster reinstated their advantage before the break, with Jasmine Saxton poked home from a dangerous ball across the box.
Early exchanges followed in the second-half, with Sidwell keeping out a free-kick, before Milly Ash was denied from long-range by Bywater.
Ash had another effort which on this occasion missed the target, before York finally found a deserved breakthrough to draw level again.
Grace Sykes had a strike parried again by Bywater, with the ball dropping to Felicity Jones, who made no mistake from close-range.
Six minutes later, the match was flipped on its head, with City now leading for the first time in the contest.
From a free-kick, Karli Smith rose highest to head a free-kick past Bywater, gifting the Minsterbelles a late lead.
Sidwell played her part when incredibly denying Saxton, who had found herself in a brilliant position, before heartbreak fell upon York.
A controversial penalty decision allowed Saxton the chance to score, with her penalty nestling into the bottom right corner, despite Sidwell diving the correct way.
Yellow cards followed from Rolandsen and Emily Cattle in the aftermath, with both sides being forced to settle for a point.
The result is a harsh one on York, who as a result remain within the FA Women’s National League Division One North, but level on points with both Doncaster and Norton & Stockton Ancients, who are only out of the bottom two on goal difference.
Next up for the Minsterbelles is a trip to bottom of the table AFC Fylde at Kellamergh Park, on Sunday, February 2 (2pm).
