After the heartbreak of suffering relegation on the final day of the season last year, the men’s football 1st XI have made a promising start to their current BUCS campaign, and remain unbeaten in the league going into tomorrow’s clash with Leeds Metropolitan 3rds. The target for the season is promotion, and another three points would signify another step towards achieving that goal.
The side started the season with consecutive 1-1 draws at home to Durham 2nds and then away to Leeds Trinity 1sts. This was followed by their first league victory against Huddersfield 1sts, which leaves them currently second in the table as the only unbeaten side in the league. The results could have even better if the side had been more clinical in front of goal, and converting draws into victories is crucial if they are to bounce back with promotion.
Their fantastic start to the season was halted by a 2-1 defeat against Leeds Trinity in the cup last Wednesday, but captain Matt Mawdesley was philosophical on the matter commenting: “This may well be the kick we need to spur us into a strong run in the league, with this being our main aim henceforth.” Indeed, regardless of any other results, achieving promotion would constitute a successful season.
Their aims have been boosted by the fact that the majority of last year’s squad is still intact, and have been improved by the arrival of new arrivals, in particular forward Dalton Harris. Harris has been in prolific form in front of goal so far in his York career, and on the matter Mawdesley remarked: “Dalton has made a good start at university, and worked hard to earn his place in the squad whilst picking up a few goals too. He has formed a good partnership with Tom Day and James Davies going forward, but there is still a way to go with our significant lack of goals thus far throughout the team as a whole.”
Leeds Met have made a solid start to the season themselves, with a win, draw and loss from their opening three fixtures. However, they crashed out of the cup last week, as they succumbed to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Huddersfield 1sts, who York have already defeated this season. When asked how his side would approach the contest Mawdesley responded: “We will approach the game in the same manner as all the previous ones; to continue playing fast flowing football and create as many chances as possible. Within our league all teams are capable of taking points off each other, meaning a good performance is necessary week in, week out.”
The side has been hampered to date by injuries, with a number of players missing over the past weeks, including influential striker Tom Clarke. In his absence the side has struggled to regularly find the net, but has appeared solid at the back, with Tom Brandreth continuing to be a key figure at the heart of the defence. The team have tried to play an attractive brand of passing football this year and Mawdesley highlighted the technical abilities of his players as one of the team’s main strengths.
The side has also participated in the North Riding Cup this year and has progressed through to the 4th round following a penalty shootout victory over Scarborough Athletic on Saturday. An average first half display saw York two goals down at the break, before they fought back in the second half, through goals from Harris, Alex Tringham and Andy Fernando, with the score at the end of normal time 3-3. Luke Bradley then saved two penalties in the shootout, whilst York scored four out of four to seal their progress in the cup.
York’s trip to Leeds is sure to be a challenging affair, but if they are to achieve promotion, these are the games they must win. The journey back to York would be much sweeter, if they can return celebrating an important victory and three valuable points.