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Photos: Vivan Jayant
After a series of Yorkshire League matches had fallen into the clutches of the winter weather, the JLD, returned to stage a clinical performance from York, who ran out 6-2 winners against a lacklustre Northumbria side.
A half-time scoreline of 4-0 showed the convincing display of skill and confidence mixed in with a degree of ruthlessness by York, which had so often been missed earlier in the season.
The black and gold started off quickly, showing that despite the mini winter break they had not lost their touch, with Captain Henry Meller making inroads into the Northumbria defence with apparent ease.
Less than ten minutes had been played when York were celebrating their first goal; Laurie Torrington converting a penalty corner, sending a drag flick high into the right side of the net.
Further link-up play involving Leo Watton, James Branton and Kris Siva created more chances, with York’s second of the match coming from another penalty corner.
Torrington’s initial flick was saved, but Hugo Christie was first onto the rebound and swept home with a reverse stick finish past an ailing Northumbria keeper.
York began to click through the gears, dominating possession in the middle; George Richards, in particular beginning to dictate play to which the Northumbria had no answer to.
The visitors showed a lack of communication and composure and became increasingly frustrated at their inability to get through the solid York back line.
The third goal was almost comical; after his first shot had been saved, Watton proceeded to entice the Northumbria shot-stopper with a few cheeky feints and drag-backs before burying the ball through a number of players into the bottom corner.
Shortly before half-time, good work from Matthew Foakes at the back enabled a swift counter-attack; releasing Siva down the right wing to cross for Meller, who collided with the Northumbria keeper whilst trying to shoot.
The resulting play enabled Branton to easily knock the ball into an empty net to complete a first half rout for the home side.
Northumbria, it seemed had only turned up to make up the numbers, and York’s hunger for more goals was apparent when they scored arguably their best goal of the game shortly after the re-start.
Siva received the ball close to the by-line, slipping it in short to Oliver Wheatley who unselfishly played it square to Meller to lash home for York’s fifth and his first in BUCS.
By this time Northumbria were only looking forward to the final whistle, but the scoreline did not crush their endeavour and they began to pick up their game.
A lack of concentration from York enabled the opposition to build some passing moves together, and they forced a few saves out of a vigilant Sam Harriman.
Chances for the visitors were becoming increasingly frequent, and only a fine reflex save from Harriman could prevent them celebrating a consolation goal.
However, he was denied a clean sheet when they converted a penalty corner with the Northumbria forward flicking into the right of the goal.
York, however did have more opportunities to increase their lead with Jammy Wilson in particular flicking the ball inches past the far post after a neat deflection.
Northumbria managed to convert another penalty corner, their forward again finding the smallest of gaps to flick past Harriman.
However it was York who finished off the goalfest; good work from Dougie McAteer in the middle found York with numbers on the right. The resulting play finished with Richards cooling dispatching a shot low into the corner in an almost nonchalant manner.
After the match, captain Meller was unquestionably pleased with how the team performed saying “I’m very happy with the boys and the way they played today. There were a lot of patches where we played like a side that should be sitting much higher up in the table. We’ve got a few big games coming up, but I’m confident we can use this win as a stepping stone and get some points to steer clear of relegation.”
“Siva received the ball close to the by-line, slipping it in short to Oliver Wheatley who unselfishly played it square to Meller to lash home for York’s fifth and his first in BUCS.”
This is in fact false, as a keen observer of UYHC, i have noticed that Henry Meller is a prolific scorer in BUCS, and Kris Siva should now worry about being dropped, following this slanderous article.
Kitkat