Mawdesley brace helps York seconds to a draw in horrific conditions

December 8, 2011 | ONLINE ONLY
Luke Gardener

UNIVERSITY OF YORK SECONDS 2-2 UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND SECONDS
BUCS Northern Conference 5B

Images: Agatha Torrance

On a wet and windy afternoon, York seconds were held by Sunderland with both teams struggling to play to their potential because of hampering conditions.

York will be the more disappointed as they look to get promoted from the division.

The match started terribly for York, with Sunderland opening the scoring after just five minutes after a cheap free kick was given away by York captain Stu Dunk.

Sunderland worked the ball down the right hand side before their striker fortuitously scuffed the ball past Toby Owen in the York goal.

From this point on in the first half, York were the dominant side.

Matt Mawdesley was acting as playmaker in central midfield, with Dan Jones on the left wing and striker James Offord looking a constant threat to the Sunderland defence.

The pressure York had put on their opponents soon paid off when Angus O’Brien went on a marauding run before playing Offord through on goal.

His first touch was poor but as the Sunderland goalkeeper came out to smother, Offord reached the ball first and the keeper made contact with the prolific striker who went down.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Mawdesley stroked the ball home, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

York thought they had taken the lead when the impressive Mawdesley played the ball through to Jones, who left the defender trying to mark him behind, before squaring to Richard Baxter to tap home.

York celebrated but the referee ruled the goal out for offside despite the ball going backwards to Baxter.

Immediately after this, York gained retribution for this refereeing decision and took the lead with a fantastic fast counter attack.

The move culminated with Gio Pilides finding Mawdesley on the edge of the penalty area, who curled his effort past the helpless Sunderland goalkeeper, making it 2-1 to York at half-time.

The second half was a far scrappier affair than the first. The wind had increased and made it hard for both teams to play the football they desired.

Five minutes after the break York conceded an awful goal from a defensive perspective and it was 2-2.

Toby Owen miscued his goal kick and the Sunderland striker managed to get between Dunk and Matt Bainbridge, gathering the ball far too easily before scoring with an exquisite finish, chipping Owen in the process.

The remainder of the match saw both teams have opportunities and the game became increasingly stretched.

Offord had a shot cleared off the line while O’Brien missed from close range.

The match petered out and York were disappointed to have only earned a point against the team who were sitting bottom of the table.

York skipper Dunk stated that the “poor conditions had led to a below par performance.”

With one match to go this term York will be looking to end on a high which could see them go into the Christmas break in second position.

Man of the Match: Dan Jones

York: Owen, Dorricott (Lewis), Dunk (C), Bainbridge, Gardener, O’Brien, Pilides, Mawdesley, Jones (Taylor), Baxter (Dean), Offord

Thanks to Matt Wilcox for his assistance with this article

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