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Photos: Oona Venermo
York men’s 1sts recorded a 4-3 victory this afternoon over Northumbria 1sts on the JLD, as Laurie Torrington bagged a hattrick in an enthralling and unusual encounter. Due to the presence of a strong blizzard which swept across the JLD, the match was temporarily postponed after only 28 minutes.
The conditions however did improve leading to play resuming, and despite trailing 3-2 at one stage in the second half, the White Rose fought back to secure the win courtesy of a Torrington winner.
In constantly changing weather conditions, the contest started in a hailstorm, which covered the pitch in a blanket of white and hindered the standard of the early exchanges. By the time the weather had improved and the sun reappeared, York were ahead, as Torrington lashed home a reverse shot stick from the top of the circle.
The goal seemed to spark Northumbria into life however, and they responded with several dangerous phases of play, which were only thwarted by strong tackles from the likes of Jono Butler and saves from York ‘keeper Callum Chaundy.
York were missing the influential duo of Hugo Christie and Leo Watton, but the home side still eventually prevailed due to hard work and resilience, skills demonstrated in abundance by defenders George Richards and Alex Bond.
The White Rose continued to look dangerous going forward, and Nish Selvakumar’s effort from eight yards was smothered by the visiting keeper. The balance of play though was primarily in Northumbria’s favour, and after Chaundy had made another solid save, he was beaten by a shot from the top of the circle, just as the hail restarted.
This time the hailstorm was heavier and more prolonged than before, quickly reducing the pitch to a state in which it was unplayable. Before this though York retook their lead, as Torrington grabbed his second of the game, this time from a powerful drag flick into the top corner from a short corner.
That was the last action before the umpires took the decision to take the players off, and for 20 minutes the game was postponed before the pitch was once more deemed playable. Two minutes after they restarted, the visitors were level. A dangerous move by Northumbria was poorly defended, resulting in a tap in from close range for their forward.
The danger continued as Northumbria won a short corner, but excellent defending by Bond and Jimmy Johnson prevented the visitors from capitalising on the opportunity. Just before half time York should have perhaps scored their third, Phil Ratliff firing his reverse stick shot over the bar after a brilliant move down the right wing.
York started the second half promisingly, but against the run of play fell behind for the first time in the encounter, as a breakaway attack was finished by the faintest of touches from close range.
The men’s 1sts response though was almost instantaneous, as only minutes later Kris Siva made the score 3-3, slotting home after Jammy Wilson’s initial effort had been cleared off the line. The comeback was completed soon after, as Torrington completed his hattrick with another drag flicked goal from a short corner, this time low to the ‘keeper’s left.
The game was far from over however, and York had to withstand a barrage of short corners, one of which deflected off Johnson’s stick and on to the outside of the post. Another short corner saw Selvakumar brandished a yellow card for arguing with the umpire, but despite the numerical disadvantage York showed great resilience to hold on to the three points.
The match was York’s penultimate BUCS game of the season, and tomorrow they complete their campaign by making the reverse trip to Northumbria, where the hosts will be looking to exact revenge for today’s defeat.
Vision MOTM: Laurie Torrington