York’s 3rd XI deservedly suffered UYAFC’s only defeat of the day as they went down 3-1 to a superior Lancaster side on 22 acres.
Lancaster had the best of a physical opening to the affair, settling into the game the quicker and getting the ball down and playing it on the ground, York on the other hand often looked rushed, struggling to find space and resorting all too often to ineffective long balls.
The red rose had several half chances to take the lead before finally getting a golden opportunity to open the scoring just before the half hour mark. The two Lancaster forwards combined and the number 10 found himself in acres of space inside the York penalty area, only to inexplicably fire his shot wide of the post.
Goalkeeper Jonny Simm kept York in the game with two good saves in quick succession before Lancaster did finally take the lead just before half time, their striker collecting a through ball and rounding a hesitant Simm to slot home and make it 1-0 going into the break.
York were almost gifted an equaliser early in the second half after a miscommunication saw a Lancaster defender clash with his goalkeeper, but no-one could get on the end of Angus O’Brien’s ball across the box with the goal gaping wide.
Just as the white rose were stating to pick up their game a bit, they were hit with a quick-fire double, and it was 3-0 within minutes. The first goal lit up an extremely grey Yorkshire day; an overhead kick was connected with perfectly and rippled the back of the net, leaving the York defenders motionless and stunned.
A burst of speed down the right wing and a ball across the box then gave the Lancastrians a 3 goal advantage, the ball being knocked in simply at the far post.
Captain Angus O’Brien tried to instil some life into his so far toothless side, and a combination of this and Lancaster’s happiness to sit on their three goal cushion led to York starting to play some better football. Substitute James Offord almost pulled a goal back for his side after using his pace to get himself into a scoring position down the right hand side, but his shot from a tight angle was kept out. Sam Mellor then did get York a goal, firing into the bottom corner to round off the scoring at 3-1 in which was still ultimately a disappointing game for UYAFC’s third string.