A bright and breezy day on the 22 Acres saw the UYAFC firsts share the spoils with Durham, with a combination of refereeing decisions and stout defending from the visitors denying them all three points.
After the disappointment of relegation last year, the UYAFC firsts were looking to get their season off to a flier in their opening game against the Durham second string. After a scrappy opening, York took an early lead. Tom Brandreth continued his fine form from last season to score from close range, pouncing on the loose ball after the Durham defence failed to clear their lines following a corner.
The game settled down after the opening goal, with York enjoying greater possession and having the better chances. Crosses from Dan Jones first saw James Davies turn over and then Dalton Harris head just wide. This was before Ash Daly let fly from 25 yards only to see his strike thunder against the underside of the bar, with the Durham keeper floundering.
It was not all one way however as Durham continued to look dangerous on the break forcing Dom ‘Rodders’ McMahon into action on a few occasions, although the rest of the half passed without any real incident.
York continued to look comfortable for much of the second half, continuing their new footballing philosophy of passing out from the back. There were no real chances at either end and York never really looked like conceding, that was until the game’s pivotal moment. Brandreth, about to avert a rare Durham chance, was tripped by the opposing striker. Everyone waited for the referee’s whistle but, incredibly, and to the general astonishment of spectators and players alike, it never came. The Durham striker rounded McMahon and tapped into an empty net.
Suddenly the pace of the game increased dramatically as York pushed for a winner. First Harris had a goal ruled out for offside, then a Tom Day shot skimmed the post, substitute Jamie Trant saw his effort saved before Alex Tringham saw his half-volley somehow cleared off the line. At the other end Durham were effective on the break, McMahon pulling off a fine save at his near post. Wave after wave of York attacks created numerous chances but they were ultimately unable to force the ball over the line and the game finished all square.
Captain Matt Mawdesley was pleased with the performance, but acknowledged “there is still work to be done”. It was a decent performance to start the season, if not the desired final result.
McMahon, Jones, Parker (Easter), Brandreth, Tringham, Mawdesley (C), Daly (Belshaw), Davies, Harrison, Day, Harris (Trant)