York’s miserable league form continued as they were completely outpaced by a strong Leeds outfit. Nikolai Bode’s brace was the only real positive note in the game for the home side, as Leeds proved a constant threat on the break.

It was obvious from the start that the West Yorkshire team would be a tough task for the Yorkies; the home goalkeeper Sam Harriman forced into a fingertip save after the first few minutes following a dangerous penalty corner from Leeds. Only a couple of minutes later and Harriman was called upon again, as he smothered a dangerous effort that the visitors were sure went in.

Despite the away side’s early dominance, York went ahead first when a well-drilled set piece saw Andy Harris’ shot parried by the Leeds keeper. Fortunately, Bode was first to react to the chance as he calmly slotted the ball in from close range.

The home side seemed incapable of capitalising on their early lead as Leeds went back on an attack that seemed to last the rest of the first half. The away side’s clinical finishing saw them grab two goals midway through the first thirty-five. This could have easily been three as Leeds also saw a penalty stroke rattle the post, much to the relief of the home fans.

York came out fairly inspired in the second half, developing some decent chances from penalty corners in the first five minutes, although these fruitless attempts meant that Leeds could counter-attack and take advantage of their attacking mentality.

It took just ten minutes of the second half for the visitors to extend their lead; some pretty hockey from Leeds saw their patient build up create a wonderful goal – the firm strike nestling in the bottom corner and leaving Harriman grounded on his line.

The away side continued to dominate as York seemed down and out, and after fifty-two minutes Leeds got their fourth. Unusually, the home team responded well, and another Bode goal from close range gave the home fans a vague sense of hope.

Unfortunately Leeds seemed a well oiled machine and Billy Walsh’s side couldn’t score despite forcing the away keeper into a few good saves. In the last minute it was York who conceded again, as Leeds broke away after an Andy Harris shot went just wide.

As comprehensive as the score seemed to stand in Leeds’ favour, the home side gave a decent account of themselves but unfortunately, large lapses in concentration forced York to forfeit their chance to get something out of this game.

A mixture of nauseous refereeing and sulky opposition turned this BUCS Cup fixture into a farce, a late Joe Brennan goal the only high point in what was a lacklustre York display.

York certainly started the brighter of the two sides; winger Ian McKellow saw his right-footed curler tipped round the post only three minutes into the game. Northumbria had clearly set their stall out early on, defending deep and forcing the home side to speculative efforts from outside the box.

November saw York defeat Northumbria seconds 3-0 in the same competition, so it was expected that the visitor’s fourth side would be given a football lesson. Fifteen minutes in and York’s confidence was quickly quashed as Northumbria broke on the counter, firing just wide inside the box.

The Tynesiders found it difficult to build upon this early attack and stuck to their gritty defensive work with the result that York’s chances were few and far between and the two sides went in at the break honours even.

(Justyn Hardcastle)

The second half was all one way traffic, with ‘The Yorkies’ having more than the majority of possession though chances remained rare as the firsts seemed to want to walk the ball into the goal. Dom O’Shea was one of the closest to score, his 10-yard slam causing the crossbar and the home fans agony.

Northumbria became flustered as York held onto the ball, showing great touch and technique at times. The away side responded to this with two-footed tackles and by throwing their rattles out of the pram, the referee lost all control.

Midway through the second half, Mark McLeod won a fair free-kick to the despair of the Northumbria players who abused the referee, calling him some particularly creative names. This resulted in one of the Northumbria players, as well as his manager, being sent off.

The visitors continued serenading the official who eventually sent off another Northumbria player with five minutes remaining. His manager remained vocal from the touchline, leaving fans bewildered and confused at his earlier sending off.

(Justyn Hardcastle)

A football game did continue throughout this theatre and, with only a few minutes left, midfielder Joe Brennan hit a beautiful shot from inside the box – which was far too hot for the opposition keeper to handle.

This was much to the joy of the winning goal-scorer, “I hit it sweetly so I’ve gotta be happy”. Brennan remained humble, as did his captain Matt Witherwick who was out with illness.

“Nothing much to smile about with that performance, at the end of the day we’re better than that, but we’re through which is good.”

York line-up: 1.Andrew Emmerson, 6. Greg Gardner, 2. Shaun Evans, 4. Laurie Swann, 3. Ian McKellow, 5. Jonny MacWilliams (Sub: Ed Murrils), 7. Mark McLeod, 8. Tom Wilson, 11. Joe Brennan, 10. Dom O’Shea, 9. Mark Gouland (Sub: Anton Murphy)

York seconds put their slow start to the season behind them, showing a fantastic combination of spirit and skill to easily overcome a sluggish Bradford first team 7-1 in the second round of the BUCS cup.

It could have well been a whitewash in the Main Hall but for an “epic display of complacency” from doubles pair Tom Gatenby and Alex Chu, who lost out by two sets to one in their first game. This result, however, was a mere stain on what was a sparkling performance all around.

Singles star James Hor showed why he is deserving of a first team call up, with an versatile display with the racket, pummeling Bradford with a mixture of ferocious smashes and intricate net shots to win both his games 2-0.

Captain Gatenby afterwards stressed the importance of not becoming complacent, though arguing the team “should play every match as if we are playing the team at the top of our league.”

York’s badminton teams are in good from this term

(George Lowther)

The skipper and his partner Alex Chu did manage to put their earlier defeat behind them by winning 2-0 in the other doubles game. Smash ‘n’ Grab partners James Somerside and Chris Ashley had a smoother ride winning both their games 2-0 with a fantastic blend of badminton styles.

Newcomer Tahir Shetty was quite easily the star of the show, not because of overwhelming technique or skill, but due to his sheer determination. Shetty, a product of the men’s thirds, received a well earned call up to the seconds and he certainly repaid his team-mates for the faith they had shown him. As Tom Gatenby echoed: “He puts in 110%. He had a couple of close singles games, but he was putting in a little bit more effort than his opposition.”

This was certainly the case as the young fresher frustrated his opposition, his Bradford opponents crying out in despair as his stamina and calmness helped him to win both singles matches 2-1. It was plain to see that York’s team mentality was one of the reasons why they were able to beat strong opposition in the way they did.

“We have great team spirit. In fact, not only do we dominate the court but we also love a good dance at Ziggy’s. Amongst the badminton society, we’re infamous for our dancing ability,” Gatenby added.

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.

York 1sts                                       2      Northumbria Uni 1sts                3 

It was a case of so close, yet so far for York men’s first team in the Hockey. A much fitter and stronger Northumbria side managed to hold off a determined York 3-2 in the home team’s opening game of the season.

From the off the “Yorkies” looked sluggish and Northumbria took advantage early on. A sloppy foul gave the visitors a short corner,  Andrew Titmus drilled in the set-piece, and York were trailing after only five minutes.

York became frustrated as they struggled to keep hold of possession. A change in the front line after 20 minutes gave York the impetus to break down the stubborn team from Tyneside.

This change inspired the side immediately with Captain Billy Walsh making a fiery run, finding substitute Mark Inman who cheekily dinked the ball to  debutant Dan Alder and he calmly found the target to equalise.

York soon tired and  Northumbria scored five minutes before the break, as the away side sliced through the York defence to leave Harry Beaussou a simple finish.

The second half start was just as shakey for York, home keeper Sam Harriman making a fantastic double save from a short corner. The York defence was finding it hard to keep out the visitors and in the fiftieth minute Beaussou scored his second of the game from a short corner.

It seemed all over for the home side but the few dozen in the crowd managed to drive them on. An ambitious Rob Newton run from the back earned York a free hit, but the hard working Billy Walsh dragged it just wide.

York pressed and their second goal deservedly came just before the hour when Alder turned provider from another short corner. A great injection from the forward gave Richard De-Boltz the chance to drill the ball into the bottom right corner.

The home team continued to press, at times playing some tidy hockey, but this gave Northumbria the chance to hit them on the counter. Harriman was forced into another top class save from a short corner, tipping over the bar. As time ran out, so did York’s legs and it was quite apparent they had given everything.

It was a case of so close, yet so far, for our men’s first team in Wednesday’s hockey as a much fitter and stronger Northumbria side managed to hold off a determined York 3-2 in the home side’s opening game of the season.

From the off it was clear that the “Yorkies” were looking sluggish, Northumbria taking advantage of this early on when a sloppy foul gave the visitors a short corner. A well-drilled set piece by Andrew Titmus meant York were trailing 1-0 after only five minutes.

York became frustrated as they struggled to keep hold of possession, although a change in the front line after 20 minutes gave York the impetus to break down the stubborn team from Tyneside.

This change managed to inspire the side immediately; Captain Billy Walsh making a fiery run to find substitute Mark Inman who cheekily dinked the ball to fellow substitute Dan Alder, who calmly found the target on his début to equalise.

York soon tired after the goal, and it seemed more and more likely Northumbria would capitalise before half time. The inevitable goal came five minutes before the break, as the away side seemed to walk through the York defence to leave Harry Beaussou a simple finish.

The second half start was just as shaky for York, home keeper Sam Harriman making a fantastic double save from a short corner. The York defence was finding it hard to keep out the visitors and on 50 minutes Beaussou scored his second of the game from a short corner.

Although it seemed all over for the home side, the few dozen in the crowd managed to drive them on. An ambitious Rob Newton run from the back earned York a free hit, but the hard working Billy Walsh dragged it just wide.

York pressed and their second goal deservedly came just before the hour when Alder turned provider from a short corner. A great injection from the forward gave Richard De-Boltz the chance to drill the ball into the bottom right corner.

The home team continued to press, at times playing some tidy hockey; however, this gave Northumbria the chance to hit them on the counter. Harriman was forced into making another top class save from a short corner, tipping over the bar. As time ran out, so did York’s legs, and by full time is was quite apparent York had given everything.

The result was probably a fair one as Northumbria dominated the possession, but seemingly only due to York’s lack of fitness. A couple more weeks on the training ground and a few less Trebles for Singles might see this Hockey side flourish into a troubling force for the other teams in the league.

Full York line-up:
Sam Harriman (GK), Rich Larkin (RB), Tom Harcourt (CB), Rob Newton (Sweeper), Andy McIlwraith (LB), Chris Carr (RM), Andy Harris (CM), Billy Walsh (CM), Richard De Boltz (LM), Nicholas Latcham (LF), Nikolai Bode (RF)

Substitutes: Mike Darkhorse, Mark Inman, Dan Alder, Tom Arkle

Post Match Interview with Billy Walsh
Did you think the side was affected by a later start in season in comparison to Northumbria?

The late start certainly rushed our preparations and that showed early in the game against a well-drilled Northumbria team. It is important to note that two of their goals were scored from slips in our press that we had not had much time to practice.

Were you impressed with the way in which the new players gelled and the impact of Dan Alden to the side?

Dan played well and took his goal excellently, but was part of a strong showing all round. The new players showed why they warranted selection, making the step up confidently and exhibiting great composure on the ball. Credit also goes to the second and third years in the squad who helped to keep the team disciplined and solid.

Where do you feel you need improve in the next game?

Our whole game will have to get sharper, in particular ball-pace and setting up defensively. There is a lot to build upon, but we cannot accept a loss as a positive result.