Football Mens 2nds
Time: Sunday 12.00
Location: 22 acres
Points: York 2
Score: York 1 - Lancaster 0
In a close start that saw few clear chances, York took the initiative in the second half and dominated the possession – scoring in the last ten minutes to seal their victory over Lancaster on the crucial last day of Roses point scoring.
In the early stages of the game, neither side looked to be taking a distinct advantage with the majority of the play being held to the midfield. However, when the breaks came in the first half, they usually came through the brilliant chasing of the ball from York centre forward Mike Flood who would not let the defenders rest – causing them a number of problems and creating the first real chance of the match when a long ball over the top forced the first save from Lancaster keeper Ed Middleton in the sixth minute.
York’s defending in the first half was first class, Graeme Wiggins and Jack Amiry making crucial tackles to cut out the Lancaster attack force. With strong defending came incisive passing through the midfield to the ever dangerous Flood, who in the 31st minute looked to beat the keeper to the ball after the defence was left standing. Both players went down, with Lancaster’s goalkeeper very nearly getting into physical confrontation with York captain Mark Worral who kept a cool head throughout and stepped away, allowing the game to continue. From that point, it was York who had the advantage going into the half time break – looking the more inventive with their passing and overall stronger at the back.
At the start of the second half, York started as they left off by having the majority of the possession and playing great football down the wings through Flood and Ed Murrills. It was an attack down the wing in the 56th minute that led to one of many clear cut chances for York in the second half, Tom Moore just shooting wide of the net from ten yards out. Eventually however, the goal came from substitute Carl Lewis who lobbed the keeper from outside the box with just five minutes to play. Despite the shot being somewhat unintentional, Lewis said that York were the better team by far: “We created enough chances and held the ball well. We deserved the win.”
