By Roger Baxter
York’s football thirds produced a classy passing game to post a 2-1 win over a truculent Sunderland side last Wednesday afternoon. The visitors were flattered by the outcome, since York were simply better on the day.
On a 22 Acres pitch that boasted some of the most spirit-sapping weather January can produce (thank you, plate tectonics), the game nevertheless began with plenty of vim and vigour being displayed by each side. An early chance for Sunderland may have made York appear a little shaky, but a subsequent break into the heart of the Sunderland box gave the home side a foothold in the game, with Tom Day shooting just wide.
York were more comfortable from then on, and their counterparts became frustrated. One of the Sunderland midfielders, possessed of a truly paleolithic jawline, went up for a header, was penalised for climbing, let fly a torrent of unintelligible abuse, and was sent from the field “to cool down.” York pressed further. James Offord, his back to goal following a break, shot agonisingly wide from the most difficult of angles. Another Offord shot was prevented by the agility of the Sunderland keeper. The subsequent corner was headed wide. Something had to give.
Give it did. Dan Atherton was the man who gave York their precious advantage, finishing clinically into the corner of the net following yet another flowing move on the break, ending a fruitful first half. When play resumed, the visitors were subjected to more of the same; York’s ball retention reduced them to abject passivity at times. When a wonderful, almost Giggs-esque run from Day was capped by a sublime finish that tore into the roof of the net, the result looked beyond doubt.
An unfortunate headed own goal from Nick St George, caused by a miscommunication with keeper Toby Owen, did little to set up a tense finish, since York finished the stronger side, wave upon wave of attacks threatening to breach the opposition net. The game finished 2-1, withYork winning deservedly. A good result, and a good day on 22 Acres.