A spirited performance saw York secure a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Lancaster in the men’s 3rds football.
The home side started strongly, and created a chance which was drilled wide only seconds in. A Lancaster breakaway drew a good save from York keeper Johnny Sim, who was regularly called into action.
The Lancaster fans were in loud voice and high spirits, and hurled abuse against the York players regularly with defenders Sam Miller and Johnny Hyde particularly targeted. Against the run of play, York opened the scoring around the quarter hour mark. A long throw by Hamish Denman, was powerfully headed home by Sam Astberry, to give the White Rose the lead.
York tried to build on this, and had a series of long distance attempts. Their cause however wasn’t helped, as Sam Miller was forced off through injury, to be replaced by Luke Stevenson. Lancaster were gradually growing more and more into the game, and began to dominate proceedings.
At the back for Lancaster, Anders Friers was winning everything in the air, whilst the York backline had to withstand heavy pressure. Lancaster came close to equalising, when Sim made an excellent save, tipping a header over the bar after a good passing move. Sean Mooney was pulling the strings in midfield for Lancaster, and after a surging run he fired an attempt off target.
With about 5 minutes remaining of the half, Lancaster were awarded a penalty for a foul by Johnny Hyde. However Johnny Sim made a superb save, low to his left to deny Lancaster from the spot. The York lead didn’t last much longer though, as Lancaster headed home from a freekick, just before half time.
The second half continued as a feisty encounter, but decisions seemed to be going against York. York were living dangerously, as the Red Rose almost scored from a corner. Sim then made a super double save for York, as Lancaster seemed far more likely to score.
Hamish Denman was booked for flattening aLancasterdefender, whilst Ragan found an opening forYork, but lacked support to really threaten. A Lancaster freekick was fired over the bar, as they piled on the pressure. Sim had to react quickly to prevent an own goal, as Astberry deflected a cross towards goal.
Yorkwere struggling to gain any sustained spell of possession, and Sim made another top notch save to preserve the scoreline. Lancaster then should have scored, when their striker fired over from close out.
Captain Banbridge, Hyde and Astberry continued to defend resolutely, but Astberry was forced off suffering with cramp, reducing York to ten men.York’s best chances were coming from Denman long throws, and one such caused chaos in the Lancasterarea with only ten minutes left. In the closing stages York enjoyed a better spell of play, and tried to push for a winner, but they had to settle for a hard-earned draw.