Mens 6s vs Leeds Adel 5s

York travelled to Leeds Adel following two home losses in the previous weeks and were hoping for a much-needed victory. With a bit of a changed squad this was not going to be easy - with Malcolm’s back crocked, Hoggy hibernating & Moisely apparently working (he was seen earlier in the day in centre of York mingling with Christmas shoppers), Benjy Exley & Nat Keyes were drafted in. In addition, the squad were delighted to have agile Dillon back in goal.
The game started at a fast pace(well fast for the 6s) and continued throughout. York were up for this and some early pressure resulted in a couple of short corners but with no success. Soon after a flowing move down the left with some quick passes around the Adel defence led to Sam Moore’s deft finish trickling over the line. It did not even hit the backboard. But they all count! 1-0 to York and we were in the ascendency. Adel did start to come back more in the game and from one of their attacks they won a short corner as a result of Pete whacking the ball against one of his own players in the D. And to make matters worse Adel scored from the resultant short corner. York rallied before halftime and did not take any of the half chances they created.
2nd half: York started strongly and pressed the Adel defence in search of the lead. It was from one of these Adel made a loose pass which Allo intercepted, beat one defender before lobbing the keeper from the top of the D all one-handed in true Allo fashion. 2-1 but still 30 minutes to play. Adel rallied and it was from one of these attacks they drew blood. After 5 minutes of first aid, Gordon’s game was up and a leading candidate for DOD. York regrouped and with so many versatile players they were not affected by the enforced substitution. Adel had a bit more possession and from one of their short corners did score although deflected in by Dillon. 2-2 and anybody’s game. York were now relying a bit more on breakaways and with the youth of Ernest, Nat, Benjy & Murphy there was always a chance we would snatch a winner. And sure enough one of Murphy’s attempts on goal was well saved by the keeper but the loose ball was picked up by Ernest to tap into an empty goal. Well done Ernest and avoided being DOD contender. For the last 10 minutes, half chances were created by both teams but both defences held firm. Final result 3-2 win.

Great result after two home defeats and main learnings are not to panic when on the ball and keep better possession of the ball. It is so much easier playing with the ball rather than running after the opposition! This is stating the obvious but was clearly evident from the sidelines.

Next up is the return fixture on 25th Nov at Huntington.

MOM: Matt Marshall & Sam Moore.
DOD: Gordon (but there will be a “new” DOD next week)