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Photos: Jack Bradshaw
UYAFC put up a brave fight but were beaten 6-3 by the International Academy for Football and Education (IAFE) in a thoroughly entertaining friendly match on the new Hes East 3G pitch.
It was UYAFC’s second of five friendlies before the BUCS season begins, the previous occasion being the August match against York City FC.
And despite the defeat, York can take great heart from giving the opposition – who have talent in abundance plus access to some of the best coaches around – a run for their money.
In fact, York took the lead mid-way through the first half as James Davies slotted home an accomplished finish after a fine pass from captain Matt Mawdesley.
Despite being quickly pegged back, York again took the lead as new striker Dalton Harris danced past two defenders before passing the ball into the net.
York switched off at the back allowing International Academy to equalise, before the visitors took the lead from the penalty spot following ‘keeper McMahon’s foul.
Academy then began to dominate, scoring twice more, the latter a sensational solo effort.
York pulled one back with Tom Day’s curling finish, but the International Academy had the last say moments before the final whistle when York failed to clear their lines.
Matt Mawdesley told Vision: “It was our first game for quite a while and although we struggled with our fitness, we played some good football and tried out a new formation. We’ve still got three games to go before the start of the BUCS season.”
Elsewhere, the men’s hockey team crushed Sheffield 3rds 16-1 in their pre-season fixture, recording the perfect result ahead of a gruelling season.
The hosts raced to an 8-1 lead by half time, and in the end humiliated their opponents as Hugo Christie scored six times.
After the match, forward Kris Siva said: “It was a convincing attacking display and we were pleased about how clinical we were with our short corners”.
“It’s great to have the chance to be able shake off the pre-season rustiness before the season starts. Hopefully we won’t suffer from any poor performances in our early fixtures.”
In two weeks’ time, the men’s 1st team will kick off their BUCS campaign away to Northumbria 1sts, while the 2nds face Northumbria 4ths.
Sheffield Hallam were the opponents for the York men’s rugby squad, but they were beaten 27-13 in an exciting contest. Tomasz Chadwick began the scoring with a penalty before Joe Turner went over for the opening try to make it 8-0 to York.
But Sheffield turned things around to lead 12-8 early in the second half and, although York competed well, Sheffield eventually ran out 27-13 winners.