York’s men’s 3rds were beaten 2-0 in a disappointing game on the astro this morning.
On a blustery Saturday morning, the game began very evenly, with both sides having sights of goal. York midfielder Gordon Harrison showed signs of promise with some mazy runs, but despite some decent possession, the Lancaster backline looked decidedly solid. Harrison was indeed involved in most of York’s best moments, as he looked to dictate play in the centre of the park. Unfortunately for York, who had slightly edged the opening stages, a short corner won off a Lancaster counter attack allowed Phil Yates to nip in and grab the first of the game after a deflection.
The goal certainly livened things up, as short corners came and went for both teams. Committed pressurising from York’s Mylo Scurr led to a succession of short corners for his team, as they searched desperately for the equaliser before the interval. It was not to be, however, and half time arrived with the Red Rose still 1-0 up, despite chances for them being at a premium.
After the break, York continued to pass the ball well in the centre, but remained unable to find an adequate final ball. Some over-enthusiastic tackles from the Lancaster players led to York’s Joe Lancaster being upended and a yellow card for Eddie Griffiths, ruling him out for 10 minutes. With the man advantage, a rare clear cut chance arrived for York striker Rupert Lee after good work from Jack Barber but the big striker fluffed his lines and the opportunity came and went.
More openings followed for York as they pressed for the equaliser, a scramble in the box frantically cleared by the Lancaster backline. Short corners were continually wasted as the men in yellow struggled with their injections, failing regularly to reach the men on the edge of the D, much to the delight of the Lancastrian fans. It was not all York, though, and Lancaster had opportunities, a ball whistling past York’s post after a short corner. No players really shone out in a game lacking in clear cut chances and between two very evenly matched teams.
The equaliser remained elusive and, after good build-up play by the Lancaster midfield, striker Roly King was able to slide a shot past keeper Dong-Oh Shin to double his team’s advantage. There was no lack of effort from the York players but strikers Scurr and Lee were left too isolated and had little with which to work. As York streamed forward looking for at least a consolation, gaps began appearing in their defence and Lancaster looked the more likely to extend their lead, and appeared more deserving of their two goal cushion. The final whistle sounded with Lancaster’s advantage intact. It had been a frustrating game for a York side that showed some real quality, especially in the middle of the park through the likes of Gordon Harrison, yet were unable to find the right ball in the final third which would have allowed the strikers to become more involved in the game.
