Hockey firsts gain share of spoils in relegation six-pointer
Photo: Sam Newsome
YORK 2
YORK ST. JOHN 2
It might be a little pessimistic to talk about relegation this early in the season but today’s fixture between the bottom two sides in Northern Conference 2B was always going to be vital for both teams. After a run of three straight defeats York knew that a loss to their local rivals would put them four points adrift at the foot of the table and already with a huge mountain to climb.
Yet a last minute goal from stand-in captain Andy Harris rescued a point for the home side in a game in that had looked over as a contest only fifteen minutes before. In a perfectly executed short corner move, Harris took the ball and sent it cleanly into the corner. It could prove to be a crucial moment in York’s season.
It was a come-back that had looked unlikely earlier in the second half. After scoring two early goals St. John sat back and allowed their opponents most of the possession. York were unable to convert any of this into clear chances and continually gave the ball away in attacking positions – much to the frustration of former captain Billy Walsh. At the fifty minute mark the game had become a dull and disjointed encounter but was reignited by a York goal that came out of nowhere. Dan Alder connected with an excellent cross and put his side back into the game.
They were further helped five minutes later when a St. John player was yellow carded and forced to leave the field temporarily. York pressed with the man advantage and Billy Walsh won his side a short corner when he was fouled on an attacking run. The crowd’s excitement heightened, realising this was their last opportunity, and the captain stepped up at the crucial moment to grab the point for his team.
Former captain Billy Walsh was excellent for the home team, his powerful runs into the D winning York a number of short corners. Photograph Sam Newsome.
Harris – standing in for usual captain McIlwraith who was ill with swine flu – said that it was a “shaky start” but that they had “looked steadier in the second”. He said that the “main thing was that we got a result” and believed that a draw was a fair outcome.
However St. John will be frustrated that they let a game, which they appeared to have under control, slip away. After ten minutes they found themselves in the York D and – although their first shot was superbly saved by Sam Harriman – the rebound was picked up and fired home. York responded well, with Niko Bode in particular pressurising the St. John defence, but they were soon 2-0 down when the away side again found the target from a short corner.
York have only won once this season, in their opening fixture against Durham fourths. They play them away from home next week in another crucial game. Photograph Sam Newsome.
It looked like York were heading towards their fourth successive defeat, but their ability to pick themselves up in the second half will encourage the side. They are now one point adrift at the bottom of the table, but will feel they have the ability and the fight to stay in the division.
York line-up: Sam Harriman, Andy Harris (c), Richard Larkin, Dan Alder, Chris Carr, James Branton, Mark Inman, Luke Featherstone, Nico Bode, Alec Feakes, Henry Mellor, Matt Foakes, Billy Walsh
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