- Photo: Oliver Todd
York succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against table-topping Teesside 1sts, in a crunch match in the title race.
Despite taking the lead through James Lewis, York tumbled to their first home defeat, against a side which for a time were reduced to only 9 men.
The cold weather has caused a series of postponements over the past couple of weeks, and unsurprisingly both teams started the game a bit rusty, with passes going astray. The early running was made by the visitors, yet their periods of possession and territorial pressure was not converted into clear chances.
Even during the early stages it was evidently a feisty encounter, and tempers ran high with robust challenges apparent from both sides. For the first 15 minutes, York had to survive the barrage of Teesside pressure, and all the early chances fell to the visitors, with York indebted to good shot stopping by keeper Dong Oh Shin, and strong defending by Patrick Forrester and James Hope.
York’s first real chance came from a breakaway move, with the ball slid through to James Talbot who was denied by the Teesside keeper. Gradually York began to grasp some control of the game, but their opposition remained in the ascendancy, playing some free flowing hockey. A Teesside short corner was struck well wide, whilst Dong Oh Shin had to be on guard to block a bobbling effort as well.
However, against the run of play, York took the lead after about 25 minutes. Good play by Joe Walsh and then Adam Douglas, resulted in the ball falling for James Lewis, who calmly swept the ball into the top right corner from about eight yards out.
York’s lead was short lasted though, as Teesside instantly replied. Dangerous play down the left, led to a short corner, and the resulting shot was deflected into the back of the York net for a quick fire equaliser.
York, however, began to play with more confidence and displayed some excellent pass and move hockey, with a sprawling save being required to deny Douglas from restoring the York lead. On the stroke of half time, York were awarded a short corner, but this was well defended, and the half closed with the scores level.
The second half promised to be an exciting encounter, and it started reasonably evenly, with neither team able to carve out any clear openings. Ten minutes into the half however, Teesside crafted an excellent position through some quick passing, and the ball was stroked into the net, to give the visitors the lead.
York responded well to this disappointment, and enjoyed a period of territorial pressure whilst also dominating possession. This soon led to the award of a York short corner, which was followed by great drama.
A violent off-the-ball outburst saw a giant Teesside defender (who someone remarked seemed like a bear) lash out in scenes which are more well known for a boxing arena than a hockey pitch. A mass brawl threatened to occur, with tempers running high as the umpires had to take control and calm the situation.
After a period of deliberation, the red card was shown reducing the visitors to ten men. Tempers and tensions were running high, and York dominance continued with consecutive short corners. Disciplinary matters soon worsened for Teesside as a yellow card temporarily reduced them to nine players.
However, despite their numerical advantage York could not make this count on the scoreline, as Teesside resisted York’s pressure. York continued to probe and push to find the crucial equaliser, but the visitors held firm to valiantly protect their lead.
Defensive tactics were employed by Teesside, and despite holding the majority of possession and territory, York could not fabricate any clear chances. Full backs Alex Alonso and Harry Bercis continued to bomb forward, and Sam Unsworth and Forrester even ventured forward in an attempt to end Teeside’s lead.
Finally, with the last touch of the game, the ball was hammered home into the back of the net. But for York it was the wrong one, as a Teesside breakaway left a two-on-one, and hence a great chance to seal the game, which was gratefully accepted.
It was a valiant effort from York, but not to be, as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat, which hinders their position in the league. Nevertheless the performance was good, and on another day the result could have been completely different.