It was obvious from the beginning of the men’s 2s match, the home team were much quicker and more skilled than their Lancaster rivals, so York pushed for an early lead. There were two goals disallowed before captain Mark Inman scored his first goal of the match making it 1-0 to York.
York men dominated play with continuous pressure and shots at the Lancaster keeper. A time out was granted to Lancaster, who needed to change their tactics as the home team directed play. Mark Inman powered through Lancaster’s defensive attempts again, scoring York’s second with a cross-goal shot that powered pass the keeper, just seconds after play resumed from the momentary time out (clearly the team talk for Lancaster did nothing).
Another short corner was given to York, with a slip from Laurie Torrington to Joe Walsh and a foul in the D meant the home team were issued a penalty. It was taken by Inman and while the goalie correctly anticipated the direction of the shot, the ball still flew past him into the back right of the goal. York were ecstatic but tempers flared in the Lancaster squad.
Despite his uninterrupted goal success Inman was shown the green card. Lancaster were then issued a short corner where a shot from Gordon slipped under the sticks of the York defence making the score 3-1 to York. Visitors Lett and Palmer working well on the wings and it looked, for a moment, as if Lancaster might get a second, but the ball was cleared by Matt Foakes.
York continued to dominate and outclass their rivals in the second half, yet there weren’t any shots on goal for the first few minutes and the score stayed at 3-1. Both teams worked hard and York struggled initially to get the ball around the Lancaster keeper’s body blocks and saves. A second time out was called after there were still no goals in the second half with only 10 minutes left to play. But when Lancaster made the score 3-2 the supporters started to worry. However, there some excellent dribbling and demonstrations of skill from Inman, earning his team yet another short corner. York were on the attack once more and after being awarded a penalty, and Inman to take, the flick sailed perfectly into the back of the net making the score 4-2.
Lancaster did not give up, and one short corner given to the visitors was unsuccessful because of a well-timed defensive clearance off the goal post from Foalkes, followed by a good save from York’s keeper Thomas Chevins as he used his stick to tap the ball away. Simon Murphy leapt at this opportunity to push the ball up field and made it 5-2 to York. Joe Walsh provided some light entertainment for the audience when he ‘started’ on a huge Lancaster player. This caused roars of laughter from the crowds of hockey club members watching the match, amused at this familiar situation (although Joe later assured me that he “could’ve taken him” and “he was lucky my team-mate pulled me away”). But no card was issued and play resumed. Finally Inman scored his fifth of the match and a minute later the full time score was an impressive 6-2 to York.