The Hull hockey team, who would eventually go on to win Hull’s team of the year, are in the league above the York team, playing in the southern 5th division compared to York in the northern 6th division. Despite this, it was a close and exciting match.
Soon into the first half York went a goal down. Hull’s Ollie Eldridge unleashed a devastating smash from the top of the D, narrowly missing the post, the shot proved impossible to save. The Hull boys erupted into gleeful celebration, York didn’t let their heads drop and battled on. Good work from the mid players gave Joe Lancaster a chance near the goal line but perceptive defending from Hull batted his shot away.
Hull benefited from very quick play, rapidly moving around the pitch. This proved to be the making of their second goal. The ball was awarded to Hull just into York’s defensive quarter after their centre forward was trapped between two York players. He took the ball quickly, before York had a chance to defend it. Driving into the D, the Hull player passed to the penalty spot where his teammate lifted the ball over goalie Vyas’ stick.
York endeavoured to free the ball from their half and had some great opportunities with Chris Baldrey and Chris Butters both working the ball well up the pitch. However, after being awarded a short corner, Hull’s first shot on goal, saved beautifully by Vyas, was decidedly dangerous, at chest height. The umpire was slow to blow the whistle meaning Hull got a second shot which this time went in. The goal was discounted.
At half time, despite enthusiastic and passionate play, York found themselves two goals down. This was made 3-0 after the second half started. Assured play from Hull, and a Yorkie foot, meant another short corner was awarded to the visitors. After playing it around the D, an incredibly well placed shot into the corner increased the gap to three goals. Could the boys in yellow bring it back?
Captain Waghorne had two opportunities on the post in quick succession. The first was unlucky to not result in a goal on a polished short corner routine, Waghorne missed by mere centimetres. York recovered their attacking mojo, pulling off some brilliant shots that were close misses. Danny Williams was denied on the reverse and Joe Lancaster from close range.
York finally got their goal after intense play, a drive tight along the line was played back across the face of the goal. Future captain Declan Hall controlled the ball and with a slight lift, played it over the defender’s and goalie’s stick and into the goal. The JLD erupted with the York supporters hollering their support.
York continued to struggle with the Hull forwards, who broke the defending line several times. However, strong defending from Jon Waghorne and Craig Ferguson kept them at bay.
York’s second goal was an absolute beauty. Danny Williams took first strike on a short corner, raising the ball, hoping for it to dip and hit the backboard. Luckily, an attempt from Hull to defend it chipped it higher, pinging off the crossbar and dropping down to hit the top of the backboard. With the score at 3-2 York had comeback from 3-0 down and just needed one more goal to equalise.
However, despite the Yorkie challenge, Hull continued their great game to deny York the equaliser. Captain Jon Waghorne was complimentary to his team stating that ‘to come back from 3-0 to 3-2 was great’ and that the ‘boys rallied well, we showed how well we can play’
Vision MOM: Danny Williams