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Photos: Jack Western
The men football thirds achieved promotion in style, with a 5-0 demolition Sunderland 3rds.
As a promotion match, the game started relatively cagily with both sides evenly matched in the early stages of what was a physical encounter. However, York did have the best of possession and the lion’s share of the early chances.
Any tension York may have had was quickly relieved when Hamish Denham intercepted a rebound to give York an early lead. From then on, York played with a new confidence. Ben Smith had a great shot to make it two but his shot was saved by the Sunderland keeper and York had a number of other good chances to double the score line and move closer to promotion.
Towards the end of the half, York perhaps were beginning to rue their missed opportunities with Denham in particular being quite wasteful despite running rampant through the Sunderland defence. Luke Stephenson also fluffed a golden opportunity to score as his shot was scuffed tamely wide.
Despite this, York remained dominant throughout all areas of the park and this finally paid just before half time with Connor Meckin lashing in a corner to a huge collective sigh of relief from the York faithful.
The second half began much as the first had ended, with York in control. Smith had a brilliant opportunity to put the match beyond doubt but his shot was deflected off the keeper and went agonisingly wide. Hamid Arezoo’s screamer soon after, however, put the match to bed and pretty much guaranteed promotion.
York didn’t take this for granted, though, and continued to push forward. Indeed they seemed to get better and better as the half progressed making some incredibly incisive and penetrating passes and long balls. Meckin in particular was exceptional, making some phenomenal runs and passes and being able to ghost round his opponent with ease.
David Kirk missed a glorious chance when his shot, taken in front an empty net deflected off the top of the crossbar. He had another great chance immediately after but his shot was saved by the Sunderland keeper, who was in exceptional form and the only thing preventing an absolute York rout. However, it was third time lucky for Kirk as he kept his cool to score York’s fourth.
Denham finally buried a chance for his second and Yorks fifth on what was pretty much the final kick of the match, almost immediately the final whistle came, sparking jubilant celebrations from the players on their much deserved promotion.
Captain Dan Postings told Vision: “I’m very proud; we had a very good season where everyone played together as a team, our hard work has paid off and we’re going to get very drunk tonight!”
Vision Man of the Match: Connor Meckin