York RI AFC Ladies saw one of the biggest days in the club history on Sunday (22 October 2023) afternoon as they won 4-1, away against Pools Youth FC Ladies in the third and final qualifying round of the Women’s FA Cup.
This result meant the Ladies’ team have qualified for the first round proper of FA Cup. The first time in the club’s history. This puts them in the draw alongside the ladies’ teams from Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest & Leeds United.
This has been an incredible journey for a community grassroots team. Beating Farsley in round two at their home ground in Holgate. The team was bolstered that day by a fantastic turnout of supporters, junior players, and other club volunteers to cheer them on from the sideline. Even more importantly the York RI AFC U10s and U11s Girls teams were given the privilege of standing alongside the ladies as mascots as they walked out to the applause and flag waving.
Kelly Chesterton the U11 Girls coach and North Riding winner of New Volunteer of the Year 2023 said, “My girls absolutely loved it, the ladies made them all feel like part of the team, it was great. What a great club.”
Dean Cairns Ladies’ coach and North Riding Coach of the Year 2020 said “At the home games the team love having so many people there & this definitely helps them put in top performances. Having the younger girls come down really added to the occasion and hopefully, the girls now want to emulate the ladies.”
The ladies have played at high intensity all season and are currently unbeaten. They have been drawn in the first round against Stockport County. An opportunity to host such a fantastic fixture against a tough opposition will require the whole club and community to get behind them.
The match against Stockport County will take on 12th November 2pm kick-off at New Lane, Holgate, YO24 4NT. The clubhouse bar will be open and café for bacon/sausage sandwiches. Come down and support your local grassroots Ladies’ team as they look to extend their unbeaten run.
Kira Lewis also part of the coaching team said “Stockport County are two leagues above us. We are going to need a lot of support on the 12th. A BIG game calls for a BIG crowd. We’re Looking forward to it!”
A member of the committee said “Ladies & Girls football is going from strength to strength at York RI AFC. The Junior have seen so much growth and success, starting with our brilliant 5-11-year-old Wildcats sessions and culminating in success, including County Cup victories over the last few seasons. We have been running open-age women’s football sessions for several years now. A huge thank you to all the coaches and volunteers at the club. Without their time, energy and passion events like the 12th wouldn’t be happening.”