Survival bid remains in ‘own hands’ – Holloway

YORK CITY LADIES manager Chris Holloway has called on his players to embrace their tough run-in as the Minsterbelles battle for FA Division One North survival.

The North Yorkshire side are currently two points above 11thplaced Chester Le Street Town in the relegation zone with two games remaining, after snatching an invaluable 1-1 draw away to league leaders Hull City last weekend.

This Sunday sees Holloway’s squad travel to eighth-placed Stockport County, before a final day showdown with secondplaced title contenders Middlesbrough at Bishopton Road West the following weekend.

Despite such a challenging set of fixtures ahead, the former Coventry City Ladies coach – who joined York in February – believes a positive mindset could help the club over the line.

“When I took the role on, I’m not going to say it was dead certain we were going to get it done before the last few games of the season,” said Holloway. “But the one thing I’ve said to the girls and the staff is ‘let’s embrace it’.

“Let’s embrace actually playing against these teams where nobody other than who’s within our camp probably gives us a chance.”

In the game before last weekend’s draw, York ran out 3-0 winners against Chester Le Street via a stellar Sophie Tinson hat-trick – a result that may prove decisive come the term’s end.

Holloway commended his side’s formidability following such strong recent performances.

“One thing that’s really pleased me is the way the girls dust themselves down and just pick themselves back up ready to go again,” he added. “They just believe in what we’re trying to do.”