A brace from James Davies was enough for York 1sts to seal victory over Northumbria 2nds, to progress to the next round on a cold and windy day on Tyneside.
After the previous week’s disappointment in the league, York 1sts were back in action in the cup against Northumbria. On a well-kept but incredibly slow pitch, both teams struggled to gain a foothold in the game with York finding it difficult to play their usual passing game.
It was York who went closest first. Neat play between James Davies and Joe Easter allowed the latter space on the edge of the opposition box, before seeing his effort come back off the post.
Northumbria showed their own passing ability, as their own good interplay ended with a ferocious effort that whistled just over the bar with York ‘keeper Dom McMahon left rooted to the spot.
With the wind playing havoc, it was York who took the lead. A flowing exchange between Ollie Harrison and Tom Day saw Easter play an exquisite through ball for Davies who had all the time in the world to poke under the Northumbria ‘keeper.
The men in black and gold doubled their lead soon after. Tom Day found space in the congested midfield to find a ball through to Davies who once again timed his run to perfection, leaving the opposition defence in his wake before chipping the ball over the approaching ‘keeper.
The wind continued to cause problems in the second half, with York finding themselves penned deep in their own half for much of it as clearing the ball proved a problem. However, a gargantuan effort from the entire team helped to restrict Northumbria high up the field, and so for all their possession, it was York who had the better chances. First Davies and then Day saw their one-on-ones saved by the ‘keeper, before excellent running from substitute Jamie Trant set up Alex Tringham who shot over from inside the box.
Northumbria’s one chance of note saw a curling effort fly just past the post but York’s backline held strong, seeing them through to the next round of the cup they reached the semi-finals of last season.
It was a well-earned victory in difficult conditions and captain Matt Mawdesely, who had filled in at centre back for the game, expressed his satisfaction with the clean sheet and a much needed victory.
McMahon, Jones, Mawdesley (C), Belshaw, Tringham, Easter, Daly, Harrison (Ferrao), Day (Trant), Davies, Harris