York football firsts in encouraging display against high-flying Leeds
FINAL SCORE
York 1sts 0 Leeds Uni 1sts 0
Leeds arrived on the back of a wholly impressive 4-0 victory against Loughborough firsts and York, who lost 6-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, certainly had a point to prove in blustery conditions.
York had opened their BUCS Northern Conference 2B campaign three days previously, sliding to a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Leeds Met 2nds, and were understandably seeking better fortunes here.
The game got off to a pacey start, with both teams going close. The best early effort came after only five minutes as York midfielder Tom Wilson hit an audacious 25-yard strike forcing the keeper into a strong save.
The home side continued to press with York striker Anton Murphy irritating the Leeds defence with his strength and pace.
After fifteen minutes the home side almost found an opener. Ex-Darlington player Mark McLeod struck a fierce effort from outside the box that forced a fingertip save from the visiting goalkeeper.
McLeod was involved again just a minute later when a magnificent long ball managed to find Murphy but he was unfortunately hustled out by two defenders and his shot lacked the power to trouble the keeper. Leeds tried to settle the game after the home side’s flurry of chances, which only pushed York to press further; McLeod and Dan Cox both seeing decent chances go over the bar.
Forty minutes into the game and York Captain Matt Witherwick led the next attack with a strong run to find Wilson in the box, whose effort was unconvincingly saved by the Leeds’ goalkeeper. Leeds did manage to threaten before the half time whistle though, with a ferocious volley that went just wide.
York remained fired up in the second half and continued to frustrate their visitors. Ten minutes after the break they developed the best chance of the game, Murphy gambling well from a Wilson long ball. The centre forward found himself one-on-one but lacked a clinical finish as he saw his shot saved by the keeper.
Leeds were becoming extremely flustered by York’s quality of play and this bubbled over when York’s Shaun Evans was taken down by an opposition defender, who was rightfully booked. The away team then gave away a free-kick close in, which Wilson floated onto the head of Witherwick, who could only steer it wide.
The referee then stole the spotlight during a ten minute spell. Firstly, he allowed Dan Cox to play on despite the linesman furiously flagging for offside but the Leeds keeper saved well to spare the official’s blushes.
The second blunder was even more embarrassing. The referee sent off a Leeds player for a second yellow card despite the fact that he hadn’t previously been booked. Luckily both teams managed to remind him of the mistake before it was too late.
York became anxious towards the end of the game and almost conceded with five minutes left.?The home defence struggled to clear a couple of troubling crosses as the Leeds pushed for a late winner. Leeds managed to steer a header onto the crossbar but this represented a rare chance from the away side.
This much fancied Leeds side probably didn’t expect such a tough game from the home team. York could have won with a brilliant blend of creativity and fight and this men’s first team will look to build on a well-earned point.
In the afternoon’s other fixtures, York 2nds recorded a 2-0 victory against their Leeds counterparts, courtesy of goals by Chris Grayland and Kit Edwards. In contrast, the third team disappointinglycrashed to a 5-1 defeat, with Miles McDermott on the scoresheet with a consolation goal.
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