U12s Nottingham 1-6 York

York Schoolboys Under 12’s began their league campaign today with an away journey to Nottingham, which meant an early start and a long coach journey.

York responded to the calls of the managers for a fast start to the game, and applied the early pressure on the Nottingham defence with Adam Clarkson forcing a good save from the keeper. The York pressure continued with Liam Mainprize and Chris Pooley combining in the eighth minute only to hit the shot straight at the keeper. York were dominant and continued to create chances with Ronnie Kelly, Dan Gallagher and Adam Clarkson all going close to opening the scoring.

As the first period came to a close, Nottingham broke quickly and following a mix up in the York penalty area they were awarded a controversial penalty, which was coolly put away giving York keeper Henry Jackson no chance and giving Nottingham a 1-0 lead at the end of the first period.

The second period started with York again applying the early pressure, forcing another fine save from the keeper. In the 24th minute York were awarded a free kick which Chris Pooley took and swung a great ball into the box which was met by Ronnie Kelly who cleverly guided the ball into the net to level the scores.

York continued to apply the pressure, creating chance after chance, but were denied by further saves by the Nottingham keeper or goal line clearances. The second period finished 1-1 with York been frustrated by some resolute defending by Nottingham.

Again, the third period started with York applying the early pressure, leading to Chris Pooley shooting narrowly wide. With five minutes of the final period gone York finally took the lead when Adam Clarkson plays in Ronnie Kelly who’s shot is well saved again by the Nottingham keeper only for Adam to put the rebound into the corner of the net to make the score 2-1 to York.

York continued to press and soon extended their lead following a long throw from Ben Myers which found Ronnie Kelly who played the ball across the face of the goal to be met by Dan Gallagher who calmly side footed the ball home to make the score 3-1. York soon extended their lead further when Chris Pooley and Frazer Clarke combined to set up Liam Mainprize who rounded the keeper to make it 4-1. The score was increased further when Liam Mainprize volleyed home a Dan Gallagher corner, then with a couple of minutes left Liam Mainprize completed his hat trick with a clever stooping header from a Dan Gallagher cross to make the final score 6-1 to York.

A special mention goes to the three York defenders, Ben Myers, Paul Iggulden and Jamie Hudson along with keeper Henry Jackson who kept their concentration today keeping their shape and tidying up the occasional Nottingham attack.

This was a game York deserved to win, and probably by a greater margin. The lads didn’t panic when going a goal behind against the run of play, they continued to play excellent football and got their rewards with a convincing 6-1 victory.

Man of the match – Liam Mainprize