Hard fought win against 9 men.

Rumours of a strong Kingston upon Hull team, down a league from the year before, were quickly abated when the opposition captain announced a car of 4 players, luckily for us including the keeper, were stuck in gridlock traffic on the wrong side of the Humber bridge.

Starting against 9 men and an empty goal the 6’s looked set to start with a big numerical and perhaps psychological advantage. This overconfidence came back to bite us as soon Hull had York firmly under pressure, cutting through an unfamiliar formation and getting plenty of chances on the York goal, stopped only by Brian’s landslide MOM performance in goal.

The backline stood firm and soon after York started to make the numbers work with Ben giving York the lead, opening his account for the season from right wing-back.

The rest of the half and the start of the second continued much like it started with unforced errors inviting Hull into the York D with concerning regularity, while at the other end York struggled to make that incisive pass to extend the lead. A series of short corners given away by York were eventually converted by Hull and the game was back to a stalemate that Hull were definitely deserving of.

This sparked some life into York and it wasn't long before Ben was played in on goal and doubled his tally, wiping out a Hull player in the process and giving York the lead to hold onto for a nervy last 15 minutes. A lengthy amount of Premier League-style extra time due to multiple collisions later, and York held on to start the season with a hard-fought win…against 9 men.

Pre-season DOD bookies favourites Matt M and Bedders look to be in fine form already with voting tied between them, Matt M losing in a tiebreaker for missing match tees. Tut tut.

A sterner test away from home against a Driffield team also down a league from last year awaits the 6’s next week.