Hitherto, it has been a tricky season for York men’s 2nds football, but a solid defensive display against a hard-working a Teesside team permitted the home side to take all three points on 22 Acres.
It was York who made the brighter start on a typically gusty 22 acres afternoon, quickly gaining a free-kick on the left wing. Teesside hardly dealt with this in a convincing fashion, their centre back unintentionally heading it straight into his ‘keeper’s welcoming embrace.
After less than ten minutes, the home side were 1-0 up. James Gutteridge skipped past two Teesside challenges before playing a silky balanced ball to striker Elliott Rous-Ross who converted coolly, sliding the ball past the helpless Teeside ‘keeper into the bottom right corner.
After this point, Teeside started to retain possession in the middle of the park but attentive defending from Luke Gardner and Nick St George halted any further advancement.
Soon, York had a golden opportunity to extend their lead, but Gutteridge’s effort flashed just past the post after he had run infield from the right-wing.
Minutes later, the home side were appealing for a penalty. James Offord played a measured through ball to Rous-Ross who, after he had taken the ball round the Teesside defender, was clipped in the area. However, nothing was given by the referee whose decision may have been swayed by Rous-Ross’s rather theatrical fall.
Teesside, perhaps sparked into life by two close shaves, then enjoyed a period of sustained pressure on the York goal, one attack being stopped on the goal-line.
In the next few minutes, both sides produced slick passing in the centre of the pitch but were unable to craft any decent opportunities on goal, Gardner again being alert in defence for the home team.
York’s Angus O’Brien then had a decent attempt on goal, after Gutteridge had retained the ball well on the wing, but this was easily saved by the Teeside ‘keeper.
Teesside quickly went on to counter but were stopped in their tracks by an awesome tackle from Peacock.
After a looping header was comfortably saved by York ‘keeper Luke Bradley, the home side had two good opportunities to score late on in the half: Ben Stanley’s cross-shot being saved at the near post by the Teesside ‘keeper before another cross from the same player proved just out of the reach of a stretching Rous-Ross.
In the second period, it was Teesside who were quickest out of the blocks, passing and moving swiftly to pressurise the home side. However, York was able to resist their attacks, Gardner again producing another great tackle to prevent a goal-scoring opportunity.
He then played a superb ball over the top to Offord who shot straight at the oncoming Teesside ‘keeper before his second effort squirmed off a Teesside defender for a corner.
After a well-timed challenge from Captain Stuart Dunk, the pace and persistence of Gutteridge gave Offord another opportunity. It looked as though he had rounded the ‘keeper but a flailing arm made contact with the ball pushing Offord away from the goal. He then attempted to lift the ball into the left corner but his effort was blocked on the line by a Teesside defender who went on to clear the ball away from an onrushing Stanley.
Quick passing from Gardner, Jacob Tapper and Offord then set Stanley away down the left flank but he shot straight at the Teesside ‘keeper.
York was then given a scare, a Teesside winger’s strike flashing just wide of the left upright.
Following this, Captain Dunk played a route-one ball to substitute Elliott Ragan. He attempted a first-time shot but this went well-wide of the goal.
Soon after, a Teesside player tried his luck from outside of the area but Bradley proved equal to the effort pushing it past the post.
Fierce tackling from Captain Dunk and O’Brien then prevented further Teesside attacks from gathering any momentum.
A few minutes later, York was awarded a penalty, Offord being cynically taken out by a Teesside defender after Ragan had played him in. O’Brien stepped up to take and struck the ball firmly into the bottom left corner, sending the ‘keeper the wrong way.
O’Brien then provided Gutteridge with an opportunity to extend York’s lead but he dragged his effort wide of the left post.
At 2-0 down, Teesside decided to bring on a player colloquially known by the home side as “the Beast”.
It was soon apparent why, as Teesside, whose strike-force Rous-Ross had described as “non-existent”, suddenly became a real threat, Gardner and Dunk having to put their bodies on the line to bar the path of this skilful red-headed giant.
Teesside then almost managed to equalise following a goal-mouth scramble however, Offord was on hand to deflect the ball over the bar.
“The Beast” then managed to weave his way through several challenges but the ball just ran away from him before he could unleash a powerful strike on the York goal.
Less than a minute later, a Teeside player complained to the referee that Bradley had held on to the ball for more than five seconds. The referee appeared to hear him blowing his whistle for an indirect free-kick.
“The Beast” left fly after being set up by a teammate but Dunk was on hand to block his effort before a Teesside player eventually put the ball wide from the resulting opportunity. One would question whether the referee would have awarded the free-kick if the Teesside player had not pointed this out.
Eventually, Teesside’s bombardment of the York goal paid dividends, one of their strikers heading the ball past a helpless Bradley into the bottom left hand corner after an inviting cross.
They almost equalised at the death in addition, but one of their midfielders sent his volley over the bar after being played in by “the Beast”.
Captain Stuart Dunk commented post-match that his side had put in: “a really gutsy performance which was what was required against a dogged team”. He went on to say that the team need more results like this if they are “to climb up the league”.
In truth, York defended very well and were the better side. Yet, had they taken their chances in the first half they probably would not have been put under such intense pressure in the last fifteen minutes by their opposition.
Vision MOTMs: James Gutteridge, Luke Bradley, Stuart Dunk.
It is Luke Gardener and Drew Peacock should be Nick St. George.