AFTER last week excellent result, Thirsk started the match with the same line up.

Thirsk were slow to start however with Wakefield the first to attack but the defence of Molly, Oona, Lynne and Hannah were too strong for the Wakefield attack throughout the match. The ball was quickly moved to the other end where Holly opened the scoring with her usual reverse stick strike. The midfield of Grace, Naomi, Yaz and Georgie moved the ball around the pitch creating numerous chances from which Holly added another goal. After a good move down the right and a great pass across goal Marnie was unlucky not to add a third goal. Hannah was causing problems for the Wakefield defence with her usual closing down and Fern made some good runs down the right wing. Holly completed a second hat-trick in a week with a conventional strike to make the score 3-0 at half time. In the second half Thirsk changed formation to push another person forward to try and score more goals but Wakefield had obviously decided to play more defensive leaving little space in the D for any clear-cut chances. Chelsea again had a quiet game in goal but was on hand on the few occasions when required, making one good save from a Wakefield short corner. The final score finishing with no more goals at 3-0. Player of the match was awarded to Naomi for her tackling and running in midfield.

Men’s 3rds

WITH only 12 available to travel to the grudge match with Boston Spa, Thirsk had to reorganise with Fred Hunt moving to central defence and Jeremy Barker into central midfield.

Thirsk started positively, with a more mobile team giving the ball carrier plenty of passing options. The clumsy opposition defence gave Thirsk a series of short corners and after a scramble in the D, Michael Crampton opened the scoring from one of those. Throughout the match, the Thirsk central defenders were able to support midfield by stepping forward to the centre of the pitch as Boston Spa defended deeper, but Thirsk were unable to convert any further chances before half time.

After the break, Thirsk improved further, with good penetration from the wide midfield including Tom Crack and Joe Tart, but alas no goal. During one attack, Jack Foxley picked up the ball outside the 22, drifted past a defender into the D and hit a clean strike in off the left post for his first Thirsk Men's goal. Shortly afterwards, he repeated the trick from the left side, again taking the keeper by surprise with his strike just after reaching the D, in off the right post. Boston Spa started to flag which gave Thirsk more chances and Ben Harrison swept a first time shot past the keeper for the fourth. Patrick Hunt completed Thirsk's goals at another short corner when the first shot rebounded to him, and he was able to flick into an open goal. Despite keeping control at the back for the whole game, Boston Spa were able to score a consolation goal when Thirsk were briefly reduced to 10 men. A superb effort from the whole team. Final score 5-1, making it 5 wins in a row, which has taken Thirsk comfortably into mid-table.

Man of the match: Jack Foxley

In brief: Ladies: University of Leeds 5th v Thirsk 4ths 3-3, Leeds 2nds v Thirsk 1sts 2-1. Men: Chapeltown 2nds v Thirsk 2nds 3-2.