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Photos: TK Rohit
2012 proved to be a momentous Roses for the Men’s 3rd XI, as they recorded their maiden Roses victory, ending Lancaster’s unbeaten streak, courtesy of a Chris Butterworth goal, coupled with an excellent defensive display. Lancaster had endured a difficult season, finishing bottom of their BUCS league, but play in a higher division than York. The White Rose meanwhile had finished one place off promotion in both BUCS and the Yorkshire League, so a close match seemed to be on the cards.
In contrast to the overcast and drizzly day on Friday, Saturday morning saw the astro basked in sunshine. York started positively in the pleasant conditions, playing some attractive hockey, combining pace and power. A short corner was soon attained, which was duly drag flicked on target by Danny Williams, only to be deflected to safety. The York dominance continued, with Butterworth orchestrating much of York’s play, whilst apart from a sole short corner and the odd counter attack, Lancaster barely threatened. Williams struck a reverse stick attempt narrowly wide, whilst Jamie Randall effectively turned defence into attack with a marauding run, which saw him beat no fewer than four opponents. Lancaster were temporarily reduced to ten men, with a yellow card awarded for persistent fouling. Nevertheless, the Red Rose then embarked on their best series of play of the half, winning a trio of short corners, and calling ‘keeper Mike Ward into action. Despite the attempts of both teams, the half ended goalless.
York almost enjoyed the perfect start to the second half, when excellent interchange set Butterworth through on goal, only for him to fire inches wide. Lancaster then almost opened the scoring themselves, only for Ward to somehow save a short corner. Both teams had numerous short corners, but couldn’t convert them into goals, until midway through the second half. A well worked short corner by York, gave Butterworth room to place his shot into the bottom corner, and give York the lead. Their lead was almost doubled soon after, when Declan Hall was put through, but he was denied by the Lancaster keeper. Hall then won York a short corner as the White Rose aimed to double their advantage, but once more the Lancaster keeper Frazer Stewart blocked Williams’ effort.
Lancaster started to threaten as nerves set in, and York aimed to preserve their narrow lead. A shot flew wide off Ward’s post, and Lancaster nearly equalised when the rebound from a short corner rolled inches wide. In the dying moments, Ward was called into action from another short corner, but the threat from open play was limited, as York wound down the clock. This was done excellently by right back Craig Ferguson, until he was sin-binned in the last minute for a deliberate trip. York finished with ten men, but ran out deserved winners, to break their Roses duck. Captain Jon Waghorne, an exceptional servant to the club, stated; “Its fantastic to win, we scored from the routine we’d rehearsed all season, it was a tremendous effort”. Vice captain Williams was also overjoyed, “It was a smashing effort, as we finally put an end to our Roses losing streak”. Even the onlookers were in a jubilant mood, as 2nd team player Fred Isaac commented, “It was a roller coaster ride of emotion, tremendous”.
Vision MOTM: Chris Butterworth