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Photos: David Hoffmann
York men’s football second string were held to a tense 1-1 draw by Sunderland 2nds, a result which leaves the side sitting on four points after four league games.
Sunderland took the lead against the run of play during the first half, but York regrouped at half time and equalised soon after the restart through a Josh Spurling volley.
The game reached a frenetic pace during the latter stages, with both sides pressing for victory and both goalkeepers pulling off some first class saves, and in the end the points were shared.
But York will feel aggrieved they did not pick up all three points in a match which they dominated for long spells and created numerous chances
Sunderland fashioned the game’s first chance as a free kick from the right saw a header come crashing back off the crossbar with Bradley beaten.
York were not to be unsettled, though, and some slick passing moves saw the home side take control. Spurling saw a volley from six yards brilliantly saved by the Sunderland ‘keeper and a Jamie Trant cross from the right only just evaded the arriving Phil Taylor as the opening goal seemed inevitable.
Taylor squandered an even better chance moments later when his flick header from Kieron Gennoy’s cross flew straight at the ‘keeper.
York were punished by the away side’s first real attack from open play. A long punt downfield by the ‘keeper released Sunderland’s tank of a midfielder, who displayed surprisingly good control and even better technique to curl his shot into the top corner.
Just before the interval, Trant glided past two Sunderland defenders but flashed his shot just wide of the far post.
After Club President Tom Day’s inspirational speech at half time, York upped their game and threw everything they could at Sunderland in search of the equaliser.
Gennoy sliced wide after excellent build-up play involving Taylor and Trant, but York kept their heads up and were not to be denied.
Gennoy’s outswinging corner was headed up into the air by Taylor and the impressive Josh Spurling was first to pounce to the loose ball as he volleyed home superbly from close range.
The goal was long overdue but York pushed even harder for the winning strike. Ferrao went through one-on-one with the ‘keeper only to produce a tame shot which was well saved, and Trant missed horribly from point blank range after displaying a brilliant burst of pace past three defenders.
Sunderland looked dangerous on the counter attack though, and Bradley produced a superb stop with his leg to deny what looked like a certain goal, before replicating that feat minutes later to the amazement of the Sunderland players and bench.
And so both sides collected a point apiece and after the final whistle President Tom Day said: “We started the second half really well and should have buried a few of our chances. The work rate was exceptional but we’lll go back to training and work on a few things.”
York: Luke Bradley; Guy Bowden, Matt Seed, Luke Parker, Mark Howarth; Conor Meckin (Oliver Bull), Kieron Gennoy, Josh Spurling, Freddie Ferrao; Phil Taylor, Jamie Trant (David Kirk)
Vision MOTM: Luke Bradley