Mens 6th Team
Matches
Sat 26 Oct 2019  ·  Division 4 North
City of York Hockey Club
Mens 6th Team
5
4
Leodis Leeds 1
A challenge for York 6's

A challenge for York 6's

Matthew Marshall4 Nov 2019 - 00:09
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https://www.cityofyorkhc.co.uk

Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s Maybelline

Strap yourselves in, because this was a roller-coaster! The CoYHC VI's knew that this would be the toughest test of the season so far (with no offence meant to the 7's, who pushed us hard). Leodis had only lost one game so far, but conceding a game to Bingley early in the season (with a -3 points deduction) showed them to be a mid-table side. They are definitely not. (apologies at this stage because even I can't remember what happened for each of the 9 goals that ensued). York started well and were 1-0 after about 5 minutes (think it was JB, with a flick into the left side netting). So far, it looked like another routine win for the unbeaten 6's. However, Leeds came back fighting and equalised. Our heads didn't drop and our game plan didn't change and two goals followed (really sorry guys but you'll have to fill in the blanks as I was 75m away from the action for most of this period). 3-1 up and cruising, but this cruise was starting to look like the Titanic. We are probably getting a bit too used to winning and felt comfortable committing 8 or 9 players into our attacks (guess which player was left at the back) left us vulnerable to counter-attacks and Leeds were very good at it, quickly we were 3-2 up and then, with 1 minute to go before half-time, all square at 3-3. Matt Marshall was dismissed for possibly the worst tackle ever seen on a hockey pitch and which would have looked crude and unsightly at a lumberjack convention. The halftime team talk was positive, passionate and intense with the key theme being "we have to want this more than them". However, Leeds started the 2nd half better and went 4-3 up. At this point, in the second half of last season, heads would have dropped and we would have conceded more, but there is a belief running through this team. Our short corners which previously had focused on the drag flick which, a bit like Kate Middleton, look really nice without actually achieving anything, had changed to a passing routine which, despite a few miscommunications looked threatening. Julien, who had been a disinterested observer in previous games, showed us what he can do as a goalkeeper. Matt Marshall came back on in the surprise position of RW and, even more surprisingly, excelled with a fine touch and blistering pace. York equalised, pulling it back to 4-4, causing a roar from the back which one supported described as Hulk-like. Game on. Neither team were going to settle for a draw. Leeds missed a couple of easy chances, but York pressed forward with good passing and a calm, determined, manner eventually winning a short corner. For once the passing routine paid off: Thornton > Wilson > Thornton > Rowntree diving in... goal. With 4 minutes to go York defended high and saw the game out. A test to be sure, but a test of character which the boys passed with great determination. On we march with heads held high. There will be further tests to come, but this one we passed with flying colours.

Match report by Laurence Thornton

Match details

Match date

Sat 26 Oct 2019

Kickoff

10:30

Competition

Division 4 North

League position

1
City of York 6
4
Leodis Leeds 1
Team overview
Further reading