A MOMENT of late magic from Andrew Harris helped inspire the men’s hockey 1sts from a goal down to a vital 2-1 victory over Northumbria, momentarily increasing their chances of avoiding relegation, in a match not shy of controversy.
The match began brightly for the Tyneside outfit, with the home side finding themselves starved of possession in their own turf. There was no suprise therefore when Northumbria were awarded a penalty which was subsequently converted. York needed all the support that their ever-faithful crowd were praying for.
If the opening exchanges were anything to go by, York were in for a tough game. The team switched to basics, with Nicolay Bode and Bily Walsh attempting to give their team a greater passing and dribbling incentive. It was now York’s turn to launch an assault of their own. They managed to win a penalty, Walsh supplying James Branton with the ball who levelled at one a-piece, going into a decisive second half.
In a match reminiscent of a ”six-pointer”, temperatures inevitably began to flare. James Branton found himself in the referee’s bad books after a confrontation with the opposition.
Henry Mellor was unfortunate not to give the home side the lead in the 2nd half after well-kept possession. However, Northumbria managed to keep themselves at bay from a late York onslaught, until Andrew Harris, in the deciding minutes, set up a dramatic finish. Taking his stick with ease beyond the Northumbrian defence, he managed to fire beyond the on-rushing Northumbrian defence, to score what proved to be the winning goal.
The victory was just reward for York’s sheer determination, sending Northumbria to the bottom of the table, and temporarily lifting themselves one point clear of the Northern League danger zone.