UNIVERSITY of York Women’s Football first team cruised past the University of Wolverhampton 3-0 in the British Universities and Colleges Sport Trophy Cup on Wednesday, writes KATHRYN BATTE.

Despite only having 10 first team regulars available, York looked comfortable throughout, while second team captain Ella Statham stepped up with an accomplished performance at right-back.

Both sides had to contend with high swirling wind, but it was York who turned it to their advantage and were quick to attack the home side with a couple of testing long-range shots.

It didn’t take the visitors long to go ahead, when captain Karli Smith hit a 30-yard rocket which sailed over the helpless Wolverhampton goalkeeper.

York doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Miller’s shot came back off the bar for Kayleigh Peters to tap in from close range.

Wolverhampton enjoyed a spell of possession after the goal, but failed to create many openings as York’s defence held firm.

The closest the hosts came to scoring in the first half was a shot that went wide minutes after Gabby Killeen had made a late tackle to prevent a goalscoring opportunity.

Those missed chances came back to haunt them when York made it three after Miller latched on to Rachel Taylor’s ball over the top and knocked it past the keeper.

Smith was unfortunate not to add a fourth just before the half-time whistle, when a long-range strike which hit the bar was judged not to have crossed the line.

With the wind behind them in the second half, the hosts saw more of the ball and came agonisingly close to scoring, prevented only by a goalline block from defender Louise Plant, with Hannah Coppillie clearing the danger.

Wolves came close again when a long-range shot forced goalkeeper Kathryn Batte into her first real save of the half. The hosts wasted a couple of other opportunities with shots flying over the bar but failed to get on the scoresheet.

Miller was again unlucky not to score, and Killeen also went close with an effort which struck the bar.

The visitors’ first clean sheet of the season sees them progress to the last 16 of the BUCS Trophy competition and will play either University of Leeds I or Edinburgh University II. League action returns next week with the first team taking on Northumbria at home while the seconds visit University of Sheffield III.