Although mixed team Captain Ricky Kanabar, paired with Nicci Farr, tasted defeat in the opening game, York recovered to settle the overall win by the end of the second round of matches, eventually rounding things off emphatically 8-1.

The seconds started off strongly: the first round pairings of Tom Gatenby/James Hor, James Somerside/Adam Hirst and Chris Ashley/Alex Chu giving York a comfortable 3-0 lead. However, defeats for the latter two pairs in the second round of fixtures meant that the game was only sewn up in the third and final rubbers.

Nevertheless, six points were gained for the York cause before the morning was out and there were real highlights for the seconds along the way, notably in the first round, where only one set was dropped.

The mixed team had just the one turbulent moment, when Kanabar and Farr lost to their visiting counterparts, but it was plain sailing from this point onwards. The other partnerships of Will Wiseman/Katie Wilson and Paddy Clarke/Natta Tritasavit were victorious in the first round, albeit the former requiring three sets. Once York had earned their advantage, they cruised through the gears with Kanabar/Farr securing the hefty four point haul with a 21-18, 21-17 win to put York into an unassailable lead at 5-1. They tidied up the match neatly in front of a large crowd, earning one of the weekend’s most comprehensive victories.

York University seconds continued their winning form on Wednesday with a convincing victory over a hapless and lacklustre Bradford side that barely turned up. It was over as a contest well before the end of the first half, with a solitary, but well taken, penalty kick being Bradford’s only contribution to the final score. York’s dominance showed as soon as the game started, with winger Michael Bloom scoring before the first minute had elapsed. By the second-half, York were scoring less than they perhaps should have, as so many players were selfishly trying to get themselves on the score sheet.

The points came from fifteen tries, ten in the first-half and five in the second. Scorers were; Bloom (3), Voight (2), Gait, Carr (2), Pond (2), Beaman, the substitute Tominey, Trotter and Smallwood, with Beaman converting nine of them, some by drop-kicking rather than kicking from the tee.

The game was truly nothing more than a training exercise, with Bradford being clueless on the ball and nothing short of hopeless defensively. Bradford could not handle York’s pace and movement going forward and the home side were able to pass their way through the Bradford rearguard far too easily. However, it would be unfair on York to say they didn’t deserve the win, as they played some brilliant counter-attacking rugby, far too skilful for the visitors to cope with.

Bloom opened the scoring with a quick-fire double in the opening five minutes, both well worked down the right-wing. Neither was converted by Beaman, who took some time to find his kicking rhythm, restricting the score to 10-0. Then, what turned out to be Bradford’s only reply came with a well-taken penalty from just ten yards in York’s half. This, for the briefest of moments, suggested the game might be something of a challenge, before winger Voight capped off a neat move by the backs, pushing it to 15-3 to the home side.

The fourth try was typical of York’s counter-attacking style, with Bradford having the ball stolen from them in the ruck, and passed straight out to York’s backs who, via Gait, scored quickly and neatly on the break. York’s number seven, ‘Abs’ added one with another quick passage of play on the right wing, as did Carr, with a similarly worked try.

The best try of the game came with the next forward thrust; a neat kick by Pond, over the top of Bradford’s defence, was turned into a try by Trotter who chased convincingly and dived on the ball, rewarding the great vision exhibited by both of the players. Beaman then added another, running nearly the whole length of the pitch in a classy individual effort. Voight added his second with the penultimate try of the first-half; and Bloom found the time to complete his first-half hat-trick, by capping off another nice move by the York backs that reinforced the idea that this was nothing more than a training session for the home side.

Despite some awfully high tackles that Bradford were lucky not to be pulled up for, substitute prop Tominey managed to add his name to the long list of try scorers early in the second half, again finding space on the right-wing. Following some shocking hands from Bradford, Trotter was able to capitalise and nick a try. Top try-scorer Bloom was the victim of a horribly high tackle, with the Bradford player gripping him around the neck, and was fortunate to not have a serious injury. Smallwood then broke through a crowd of defending Bradford players far too easily to score York’s thirteenth try.

The final two tries were Carr’s and Pond’s second of the match. The former by running the length of the pitch, made to look nippy by Bradford’s sluggish defence, and the latter capping off scoring just twelve points away from a century. The game ended 88-3 and, to be frank, York could have and perhaps should have managed to break into treble figures.

Last-minute heroics from Chris Ashley and James Somerside nicked a draw with Sheffield seconds in what was effectively a re-run of last week’s equally tight BUCS Cup clash. York, after losing on points in the previous meeting, clearly had something to prove against a side that is also flirting with relegation. James Hor beat both his opponents but Tahir Shetty could not find his rhythm and, despite playing some good badminton at times, lost both of his matches.

Both pairs, Somerside/Ashley and Chu/Gatenby, lost their first matches meaning the pressure was on in the last round. Alex Chu and Captain Tom Gatenby dispatched their opponents despite a shaky opening game, witch they lost 16-21. Undeterred, they went on to win convincingly 21-9 and 21-14. The timing meant that Sheffield were leading 3-4 with Somerside/Ashley still playing. After winning their first 21-19, with some seriously impressive badminton they lost their rhythm and the second game 14-21.

(George Lowther)

However, the third and final game was close, with inconsistency letting York down at times, and they went down 12-17 and York looked set to lose the overall match. However, Somerside and Ashley staged a convincing comeback and eventually won 21-19, sealing the overall draw.

Hor’s first game had the feeling of a grudge match, with the pair having met in last week’s BUCS clash, with Hor losing. This time, though, he focused himself in an intense game and thrashed his opponent 21-14 and 21-8, regaining pride in the process. Shetty struggled in his first match, guilty of being over cautious at times and duly lost 7-21 and 14-21.

The partnership of Gatenby/Chu was extremely unlucky not to win their first match. It was a tight affair indeed, with the York pair edging the first game 23-21. However, in the second game they suffered from some bad unforced errors and lost 14-21. The third game was just as tight as the first, but still York could not put an end to their mistakes and eventually lost 19-21. Meanwhile, Somerside and Ashley lost 19-21 and 13-21.

(George Lowther)

The second round of singles went the same as the first, with Shetty letting himself down after losing 12-21 and 17-21 despite some good badminton at times from the York player. Hor played through a gruelling match, and after an initial hiccough in his first game, losing 12-21, he fought back to win, with scores of 21-11 and 21-18 sealing it for the confident Yorker.

The York pairs staged their brilliant comeback in the last round of the day. Before the second round of doubles it looked grim for York as they were 2-4 down in the overall game. However, both pairs fought impressively and York managed to nick a 4-4 draw, which keeps them clear of relegation in the league standings.

Tries from Seb Hurst, James Bennett, Matt Pollen, Rich Welsh, Jack Miles and a late double from Lionel Owusu resulted in York seconds’ first league victory of the season, as they beat Newcastle fourths 38-0, a slightly flattering score considering the visitor’s performance in the second half. York piled on the pressure in the first half to lead the game at 19-0 at half-time, courtesy of three tries and some impressive kicking from winger Hurst, who converted two.

However, early in the second half Newcastle were allowed to dominate play for a while, but they could not turn this possession into points. York rode their luck at times, and needed Welsh’s try to bury the game. Following this, Newcastle appeared to give up completely, which led to a somewhat flattering scoreline for York, as Miles and Owusu were allowed to register some quite easy tries.

York began dominating the game right from the kick-off, ran the ball forward quickly and twice won scrums just five yards out. However, a solid defensive kick from Newcastle’s number 15 meant York had to win the ground back again with some neat passing along the backs. York won the resultant offensive scrum down and passed it out for Hurst to score an elementary winger’s try, which he impressively converted.

York, camped out in Newcastle territory for most of the half, regularly nicked the ball from the visitor’s scrums. Yet York’s hands let them down at times, and Pollen had to wait to get on the scoreboard as what would have been York’s second was disallowed. However, York won the following scrum and Bennett was able to leap over the line to double their advantage with Hurst impressively converted again.

Pollen was able to get his try before half-time, as he neatly exploited a gap in Newcastle’s shaky defence. Hurst wasn’t able to convert this one, so York went in at half time in the ascendancy, leading 19-0. Newcastle returned after the break a different team, and really made York nervous with the pressure they were able to exert.

However, the visitors were, once again, not able to convert this period of dominance into tries. York’s defence was tight, particularly the forwards’ presence in the rucks however, they often fell short going forward due to shaky passes and poor decision making. The second half deadlock was broken by York, not Newcastle, when Welsh secured the game with a well-worked try after fighting their way back into the game.

This seemed to break the visitors’ spirit, as nearly immediately afterwards Miles exploited a gap in the centre to notch up another try for York. Shortly after this, substitute Owusu was able to jog two soft tries and it was apparent that Newcastle had effectively given up. York second’s recorded their first league victory with style, but this 38-0 win over Newcastle was harder fought than might appear.

York Starting Line-up: Reid-Milligan, Hornby, Welsh, Smallwood, Forsythe, Holder-Williams, Carr, Bennett, Dudley, Mortimer, Hurst, Pollen, Miles, Andrade, Van Der Bullows

Teesside University           0

York’s rugby firsts started the year in the best possible way by extending their winning BUCS League sequence to four matches with a 44-0 victory over Teesside on Wednesday. Two tries apiece from Seb Weir and Ed Drewett, as well as further scores by Nick Brown, Mike Callis, Will Tate and Peter Nathan, kept the team firmly in contention for the championship title against hapless opponents. 

An active York defence refused to grant their Northeast visitors a foothold in the game, and had effectively secured the three points by half-time. The greatest testament to York’s miserly rearguard arrived with twenty minutes remaining, when Teesside, presented with the chance to run a penalty within the home side’s twenty-two, were content merely to get on the scoreboard. Sadly, in their only opening of the game, the kicker was thwarted by the width of the upright.

The performance delighted captain Callis, who commented afterwards, “it was encouraging to see there had been no loss of fitness or unity over Christmas. We weren’t disjointed at all.” When pressed on whether the team had enough potential to win promotion, he said. “I see no reason why we can’t win the league. It’s totally realistic if we keep things together.” 

Combining quick hands and powerful attacking thrusts, York were convincing from the outset, scoring through Brown in the corner following neat passing from a scrum. Immediately from the restart, they piled on the pressure once more and, after a neat kick-and-chase move had fallen just short, Callis capitalised on a fumbled pass to finish in a more conventional manner.

 The only slight problem for York was their struggling conversion kicker James Mortimer who, after missing four kicks in the first half in the absence of regular fly-half Rob Grant, handed over duty to David Lowe, who fared little better, managing two out of his four kicks.By this point outclassing Teesside both technically and physically, a third York try was just reward, as Weir touched down following a powerful scrum drive. Shortly before the interval, a fourth score, this time by Tate, stretched the advantage above twenty points.

This pattern continued immediately in the second half. York’s dominance in the lineout and scrum delivered a fifth try with Drewett bursting through. Brilliant possession play involving Mortimer, Lowe and Drewett down the right-hand side was denied by a timely tackle but, following a quick reorganisation, York worked the ball across field to score try number six. 

Following Teesside’s unsuccessful conversion attempt, York reasserted their supremacy with a flowing move on the break, finished by Weir and converted by Lowe. Unwilling to allow complacency to settle, the home side rounded off the game with a well-worked try by Nathan, pushing the score to 44-0 and providing the perfect start to 2009. 

“The real tests are yet to come, particularly away to Newcastle in the next week or two,” added Callis.

YORK: Stone, Corp, Grant, Innes, Redshaw, Callis (c), Tate, Weir, Buggé, Mortimer, Brown, Fellgate, Lowe, Nathan, Drewett.

York women’s volleyball team ended the year on a high by thrashing Sheffield Hallam in straight sets, taking victory by a 25-7, 25-20 and 25-20 scoreline. After a flying start, this match did get closer but Hallam just couldn’t win a set and were, in truth, well beaten.

York Captain Lisa Breitschuh commented to Nouse after the match: “I am obviously very glad we won, although we didn’t play quite as we could. We gave away some easy points early in the last two sets. In some rallies, though, we really showed what we can do when we play well. It was a great way to end the season.”

York started the first set brightly, notching up four points before Hallam could score in reply. They were the first team to get to double figures, as communication errors let Hallam down and they struggled to gain a footing in the game. York won easily, 25-7, and it looked like Hallam would really have to up their game to stand a chance in the match.

(Alexandru Hristea)

In the second set, Hallam shuffled their formation, and initially it seemed to work, as they registered six points before York could answer back, one coming from what was, perhaps, the longest rally of the match. The set tightened up, but Hallam took the lead at 16-15, despite the best efforts from York Libero, Anastasia Harunova. However, by their first time-out York were up 21-18 and they extended this valuable lead to win 25-20, thereby taking the second set to moving the overall set score to the psychologically significant 2-0, with Hallam not looking like they could come back.

(Alexandru Hristea)

York didn’t start the third set particularly well, with a poor serve gifting Hallam a point. The set was as close as the previous one, with York calling a timeout at 5-10 down, having made the set very difficult for themselves by giving away points too cheaply. York reached double figures in style, though, after the break with a well-worked point which culminated in a brilliant hit by Maiko Uesaki. Towards the end of the set, York really began to enjoy the longer rallies. The final set was close and both sides played some great volleyball. York capped an impressive day by winning with an ace served by Jeanette Chow, who played well throughout.

The ever-confident James Hor saw off both his singles opponents to make up for Captain Tom Gatenby’s unlucky performances, earning York seconds a 4-4 draw with Sheffield Hallam seconds. Doubles pairs Alex Chu/James Somerside and Chris Ashley/Mo Dutta both won one and lost one in an even and hard-fought BUCS League match. Gatenby’s team have been struggling of late and he used this match to experiment through a re-shuffle of the players.

James Somerside was paired with the talented, yet inconsistent, Alex Chu in the opening rubber and they won their first game convincingly, 21-12. However, they looked weak both on the serve and the return but really enjoyed the game and found their rhythm as it developed into longer rallies. Meanwhile, Chris ‘Cash’ Ashley and Mo Dutta registered a two-game loss, 19-21 and 10-21.

James Hor was involved, and promptly beaten, in the most impressive and longest rally of the whole contest, including an impressive behind-the-back shot from the swaggering Halifaxer. He won the first game of his second match 21-18, causing his Hallam opponent to lose his confidence and, through some easy shots missed, handed Hor a 21-10 victory and a draw for York.

In Chu and Somerside’s second game they lost their opening form and, despite some well-won points courtesy of Chu’s rapid movement, they lost their second set 16-21. In the final game, Chu and Somerside both regained their focus and were able to thrash their adversaries 21-9. However, despite an impressive first match, the York pair were beaten comprehensively by Hallam in their second match in only two games, going down 6-21 and 10-21.

In the first round of singles, Hor, in his first game, came back from 21-7 down in the opening set to comfortably beat his opponent 21-14 in an intense match which left Hallam’s player with a broken string on his racquet and a shuttlecock lodged in the net thanks to some powerful shots from both sides of the court. Hor’s second game was won just as comfortably, 21-13.

Dutta and Ashley, after not starting impressively, managed, through some good yet unconventional badminton, to beat their second opponents 21-18 and 21-16. They developed a strong partnership and won some good rallies.

Gatenby will be frustrated with his sets, after losing the first set 16-21 he managed to claw back the second to 20-19. However, he was unable to finish his first opponent off and eventually lost 20-22. In his second match, the player, who prefers doubles, was thrashed 9-21 and 6-21. However, due to Hor’s earlier victories York’s draw was secure.

The tournament went down to the wire, with the impressive Derwent just needing to beat Langwith, whose only points thus far had came from Goodricke and Alcuin, the two colleges that were forced to concede due to lack of numbers. However, despite having only four players, due to not fulfilling the quota of having at least two female team-members, Langwith managed to nick a draw in the last minute of the tournament, forcing Derwent to share the spoils with similarly unbeaten James.

Derwent, whose players will no doubt attempt to claim overall victory due to their superior points difference, looked on course for the necessary win against Langwith, going 2-0 up in the opening minutes. Despite this, Langwith replied with a score which really opened the game up and finally, scored literally seconds from the final whistle leave Derwent deflated.

Goodricke fared little better than basement side Alcuin. Their two players turned up for just long enough to secure their automatic ‘win’ over Alcuin, and even played a five-versus-two game against Derwent only losing 3-1.

Wentworth were also a force to be reckoned with, earning the biggest win against Langwith, with a score of 4-0. They also notched up a comfortable 3-1 victory over Halifax, but were beaten by the impressive Derwent 4-2. James were also part of a high-scoring match with the postgraduate college, both sides scoring plenty in an exciting 3-3 draw.

FINAL STANDINGS

Team Won Drew Lost Pts
Derwent 4 3 0 15
James 4 3 0 15
Wentworth 4 2 1 14
Vanbrugh 4 1 2 13
Halifax 3 3 2 11
Langwith 2 1 3 7
Goodricke 1 0 7 3
Alcuin 0 0 8 0

The UYWRUFC first team were subjected to a three-try defeat this afternoon in what was, in reality, a tight game against Sheffield Hallam firsts. The day was worsened for York when, after Hallam’s opening try, key player Emma Cooper had to be replaced following a serious-looking injury.

York had some good chances in the first half, but solid defending by Hallam meant they were unable to find the try-line and the visitors punished this, nicking a crucial score just before the half-time break. Hallam capitalised on Cooper’s injury by scoring early in the second half and rounded the game off nicely with another, late try, which was duly converted to register the convincing, though flattering, victory.

It was a frustrating game for York, as they enjoyed ample possession but struggled to break through Hallam’s strong defence. Hallam, however, looked aggressive on the attack and too often York found themselves defending deep in their own half.

York had the first good-looking run of play in what was a mostly tight first half, following neat play from a lineout. The ball was passed deftly across the backs, with the forwards supporting them well, leading to a strong drive down the left with excellent momentum. However, as was the case throughout the match, York gave away a sloppy penalty for offside play.

York found it hard to maintain momentum and possession due to an uncharacteristic bad habit of giving away cheap and unnecessary fouls. Hallam, on the other hand, were more productive with the ball in hand and didn’t surrender it meekly.

In the second half, York again started brightly, however Hallam scored the game’s decisive try shortly afterwards, with a long run followed by an elementary pass extending the lead to 10-0. The game then reverted back to the tight midfield contest it had been throughout most of the first half.

The game continued in this manor, with York’s closest attempt coming from a rare defensive missed catch by Hallam. The knock-on resulted in a scrum for York inside Hallam’s twenty-two, but good organisation by their backs meant the away team prevented York seizing the opportunity. Hallam’s final try was a long time coming, with York losing far too many defensive scrums, all inside their own twenty two.

York will be disappointed with their lack of sharpness going forward and defensive mistakes that eventually lost them the game, something they will aim to improve on next time out at Newcastle.

BUCS Cup Men’s Second Round, Wednesday 19th November 2008

York seconds were dumped out the BUCS Cup at the second round stage following a disappointing defeat by Leeds Met thirds on the 22 Acres this afternoon.

York looked vulnerable defensively as Leeds Met racked up five unanswered goals, with the three during the first half meaning that the game had ended as contest even before the break. The second half was, mercifully, a tighter affair but York didn’t once trouble the opposing goalkeeper. In fact, they didn’t manage a single shot on target throughout the entire match.

York started with the majority of possession but looked vulnerable to the counter-attack against a pacey Leeds Met midfield. But the first goal put past the home side was slightly fortunate, arriving when Leeds Met broke through on the wing, bypassing York’s shaky defence, and sending a teasing low cross into the box. York goalkeeper Sam Clitheroe could only get his fingertips to the ball as it skidded along the six-yard line, parrying it only as far as Leeds Met’s winger, who promptly placed the ball in the back of the net.

York did attempt to pick themselves up after this setback, but their defence really did struggle due to Leeds Met’s incisive counter-attacking style and the visitor’s second was also scored on the break.

The first half was also marked with injury for York as Joe Cooper went down following a challenge, injured his left arm where it had once been broken earlier in his career. With York were down to ten men, Cooper being treated, Leeds Met scored their third; a free-kick headed home York again didn’t get tight enough in the box. Cooper was promptly substituted for Ben Smith.

In the second half, York only really threatened from set plays, as Leeds Met continued to apply pressure in open play. The few chances that York had were directed over the crossbar by striker Dan Cox. The fourth goal scored by Leeds Met was practically walked into the net as, yet again, York’s defence dived in too eagerly. All it took was a clever turn by the Leeds Met striker and he had a clear run on goal.

Mark Worrall saved York from more humiliation by clearing an effort off the line after keeper Clitheroe had unsuccessfully attempted to charge down an opposing striker, leaving the goal wide open. Leeds’ final goal was slotted home from the edge of the sixteen-yard box.

Overall, York never looked complete defensively and failed to push forward convincingly. The team will be disappointed with the frequency and ease with which they gave away the ball; an area needing much work in the coming weeks.

BUCS Northern Conference Men’s 2B, Wednesday 12th November 2008

A well-organised Sheffield Hallam team scored the only goal in a tight game to frustrate York’s football firsts once again. The decisive goal was headed home from a free-kick early in the first half, and has left York still searching for their first win of the season in BUCS Northern Conference 2B.

The visitors had given York prior warning of their danger from set plays when a direct free-kick hit the top of the crossbar in the first minute. Hallam continued to threaten from corners throughout the game and York was fortunate that Hallam failed to convert their chances into more goals.

York striker Dan Cox was given little space in which to

operate by a disciplined Hallam side (Alexandru Hristea)

The game started at great intensity, with Hallam piling on the pressure in the early stages, and the away side were quickly rewarded with an early goal. They then showed great discipline in defending their advantage, closing down York all across the pitch and denying them the space to get back into the game.

It wasn’t until later in the half that the game began to settle and York was able to hold possession for any length of time. The home side had very few chances in the first half, although the best of these was squandered by reserve striker Dan Cox, who poked the ball wide after Mark McLeod had flicked on a free-kick.

The second half did start more brightly for the home side, with York allowed a little more space to play. However, York looked bereft of creativity up front and wing-backs Alex Cooper and Shaun Evans were often left with very few options.

York failed to win the midfield battle and slumped to another BUCS defeat

(Alexandru Hristea)

Hallam continued to mark tightly and pressure their opponents into losing possession but also looked the more likely side in attack. They displayed some excellent off the ball movement and had the pace to really worry York’s defensive line. In the latter stages of the match, Hallam was guilty of some poor finishing and this, at times, appeared to be the only factor keeping the scoreline respectable for York. York’s goalkeeper Andrew Emmerson deserves mention as on more than one occasion he kept York in the game with a fine save.

In truth it was a poor game for York who struggled defensively throughout and posed little threat going forwards.

BUCS Northern Conference 2B, Wednesday 5th November 2008

York WRUFC firsts overcame a shaky start to register a comprehensive win over University of Hull firsts yesterday. Tries by Chrissie Leahy, Kate Fullilove, Lizzie Prance and a brace from Emma Cooper gave York a convincing victory by a 29-5 scoreline.

The day couldn’t have got any worse for Hull when, in the last minute, one of their forwards badly injured her leg. Hull had managed a try in return, though, at the end of the first half and it briefly threatened to open the game up. However, due to York’s dominance of the second half, it ended as no more than a consolation.

Prior to the first, early try by Cooper, York did appear flustered on the ball and Hull were allowed to dominate the first few scrums. However, following York’s first cleanly won scrum, some clever passing enabled Cooper to sprint down the left wing and score. This lifted York’s spirit and they began to impose themselves on the game as the forwards got into their stride, piling the pressure on Hull.

York were dominant in the women’s rugby against Hull

(Justyn Hardcastle)

York’s second try was a long time coming and it was put away by Leahy, following a strong and direct drive from prop, Kirsty Wheeler.

The second half began tightly with both sides piling on the pressure in the centre and finding it tough to break the line of defence. Eventually, York broke through on the wings, with quick-fire tries by Prance, Cooper and Fullilove. Some exceptional play in York’s penultimate try saw Prance dart past several Hull defenders, yet unselfishly pass to Cooper with the try-line at her mercy, allowing her teamate to score her second of the day.

Hull seemed unable to get the ball out of their twenty-two, let alone out of their half as York remained tight defensively, preventing the away side from getting a foothold in the game the visitors often lacked confidence on the ball. York’s defensive teamwork and confidence going forward led to an impressive display and a convincing victory.

An interesting cup draw led to the universities’ firsts and fourths playing against each other in the opening BUCS cup match of the season. Rather unsurprisingly, the firsts beat the fourths convincingly by five goals to nil, two of these being scored from the penalty spot.

The firsts, however, did get a slight shock when the fourths had the first chance of the match, with striker Tom Sherrif managing to get a decent run on goal, only to shoot appallingly wide of the mark.
As it turned out, this was the only bit of play the fourths managed to string together, as their higher league opponents dominated from then on.

The opener came after 25 minutes when firsts forward Anton Murphy was clipped by fourths goalkeeper Mike Wynd, Mark Gouland coolly converting the resulting spot-kick as his team started to find their rhythm.

However, it wasn’t until the second half that possession was translated into goals by the black-shirted firsts. A flurry of goals from Greg Gardner, Matt Witherwick and a brace from Mark McLeod completed York Firsts’ passage in this knock-out competition.

The fourths’ only decent attack had occurred in the opening minutes of the match and experienced goalkeeper Andrew Emmerson had nothing to do for most of the match. The firsts held possession almost permanently throughout, as the fourths struggled to link up play at all in the opening half.

The second half continued as the first had ended with the superior firsts still holding possession well but struggling to score and kill off the match. At length, centre-half Gardner found the back of the net following the fortunate deflection of his long-range effort, wrong-footing Wynd.

McLeod added to the tally with a cleaner strike from the edge of the penalty area following up from a poorly cleared corner. The fourths looked increasingly vulnerable to set-pieces as the fourth goal was bungled in following a poorly defended corner and was claimed eventually by firsts skipper Witherwick. The scoreline was given another coat of gloss through another spot-kick won and converted by the impressive midfielder McLeod.

The fourths never properly entered the game, with their midfield not holding possession well and struggling to clear the ball from their half. The firsts looked very comfortable, particularly throughout the second half and If McLeod can maintain this kind of form in forthcoming games against more competent opponents then the Firsts really do look capable linking play of scoring goals, particularly if Anton Murphy rediscovers his scoring touch.

A solitary first-half goal by Leeds Met left unlucky York with too much to chase in this opening BUCS League fixture of the season. York striker Ed Murrills, who required medical centre treatment following a collision with the opposition number six, fell victim to Leeds Met’s tight and physical approach.

There were frustrations on both sides in this game, exemplified by a heated exchange late on involving York captain Matt Witherwick and the Leeds Met defensive midfielder, which resulted in the latter being substituted to avoid dismissal. Playing a deep defensive line, Leeds proved difficult to crack.

York started brightly, in a 3-5-2 formation which utilised the two wide men as wing backs, looking to build on the achievement of two successive promotions. Dominating possession in the first half hour, York had the first clear-cut chance of the game following a gutsy Witherwick challenge, which led to York’s impressive right-back Alex Cooper dragging the ball agonisingly wide of the right-hand post.

Throughout the opening third, it proved a frustrating game for Leeds Met as they allowed York to dominate possession and their midfield struggled to find its rhythm. However, in the 37th minute, Leeds Met scored on the break against the run of play. An uncharacteristic misjudged tackle by York allowed the Met right winger to find enough space for an early cross, which was duly headed past a flailing Andrew Emmerson into the back of the net. Following the only goal of the match, York allowed their heads to drop and never regained their early confidence.

Leeds Met defended in force, if not in style throughout the second half and effectively stifled York’s midfield. They played a very physical game, resulting in an unfortunate injury to Murrills, the energetic forward, who was replaced by Dan Cox early in the second half.

York continued to probe with unquestionable effort, particularly from winger Cooper, who looked strong going forward on the left. The number three set up York’s only real clear-cut chance of the second half with a long, low ball, which required some good defending and goalkeeping from Leeds to repel. Disappointingly, the equaliser never did come as York were crowded out during the second half and look in need of some creativity and leadership.