M6 vs Driffield 2s

On a thoroughly wet and miserable Yorkshire afternoon, a plucky York 6s team lined up against Driffield 2s, determined to put right an undeserved 2-1 loss earlier in the season.

Early exchanges were quite evenly matched with York grateful to Dillon who pulled off some excellent saves in response to some early Driffield pressure. With York gaining in confidence Gordy and Malc started to get the better of the exchanges in midfield and set up some good opportunities for the forwards whose early forays were starting to trouble Driffield. York were really starting to gell now and continued to press, leaping on 50/50 balls and moving the ball around intelligently. On one attack, with your reporter distracted due to an IMPORTANT phone call, Allo was sent sprawling in the Driffield D but managed to offload to Murphy who scored a memorable goal - for those who saw it. Allo retired for treatment and against the run of play, Driffield benefitted from some confusion (players and umpires alike) in a congested York D pouncing on a dangerously lifted ball off a York stick to ball nudge the ball home as it dropped. Cue unbridled rage from the usually calm and composed supporters assisted by Sam who was able to leave the umpire in no doubt as to his error.

This small setback acted as a catalyst for York who now started to play with a real sense of purpose and cohesion, patiently building from the back to carve out some real chances Ernest's youthful speed was starting to cause problems to the slightly slower Driffield defence and the Young Turk was rewarded for his endeavors by slotting home the final shot after an exciting break. 2-1 and York were starting to purr. It was now a question of when, not if we would score again, and shortly before halftime Peter injected a lovely shot corner and then followed up on a shot that came off the keeper's pads. 3-1 and it was a jubilant team that came off after the halftime whistle.

The team chat focussed on keeping up the work rate and hammering home our advantage and these wise words were carried out to the letter as York continued to trouble the Driffield defence. On 55 minutes Murphy, through on goal, was taken out by the goalkeeper and neatly converted the resulting penalty flick. 4-1 and that was the way it stayed to allow the 6s to record one of their best wins of the season.

For the periods of the match I actually watched it was a sublime performance from the 6s. The tight well-organised and balanced defence of Bedders, Matt, Kieran and Peter were always in control and rarely looked troubled. When they were Dillon stood firm pulling off some important saves early in the first half. The midfield of Malc, Gordo, Sam, and Nico battled like terriers for all the 50/50s and loose balls and the attack of Natt, Allo, Murphy, and Ernest always looked threatening and converted the vital opportunities - it could and maybe should have been more.

The MOTM was Murphy for, he tells me, scoring 2 goals. DOTD was slightly more controversial. Controversial as the DOTD was shared between the MOTM and, I think for the first time, one of two loyal supporters on the day who was unjustifiably punished for a small lapse in concentration. Note to self - always attend the post-match gathering to defend oneself if necessary.