U13s Wakefield 2-4 York
Team: Graves (Jackson); Jones, Whalen, Morgan, Evans; Clark (Richardson), Clarkson, Chan (Fash), Myers, Boyeson; Parkinson (Sorgie).
York were seeking revenge against a Wakefield team who beat them at home in the Cup last month. The match was played on an immaculate playing surface and in perfect conditions.
York started well and a slick passing move saw Bobby Boyeson back-heel the ball to Ben Myers overlapping on the left wing. His cross to the back post saw a goal bound effort cleared off the line by a Wakefield defender.
Luca Chan and Adam Clarkson were dominating central midfield and a number of trademark, barnstorming runs from Clarkson promised to break the deadlock. After 15 minutes, a corner from Myers was dummied by Boyeson at the near post and reached Clarkson. He flicked it first time into the roof of the net from 8 yards to give York a much deserved lead.
As the first half progressed, Wakefield gradually established a foothold in the game principally via a bombardment of long range free kicks on the York goal. Alex Graves dominated his area repeatedly catching high balls and, on a couple of occasions, started counter-attacks with excellent distribution. On the half hour, the Wakefield centre forward latched onto a long ball and threatened to snatch an equaliser but was thwarted by a combination of a last-ditch tackle form the speedy Dylan Jones and a brave dive at the striker’s feet from Graves who took a painful blow to the chest for his efforts.
Just before the break, Noah Morgan stepped out of the back four and played an incisive through ball to Mitch Parkinson who had run tirelessly throughout the half. He advanced on goal and beat the Wakefield keeper only to see his shot curve narrowly past the far post. Sam Clark then cleverly found Clarkson in the right wing position. He burst past the Wakefield left back and drove a great cross across the face of the goal to find Myers whose shot was well blocked to keep York’s lead to 1-0 at half time.
York started the second half well and almost increased their lead through efforts from Clarkson and substitute Kean Sorgie. Jack Whalen was commanding in the heart of the York defence and Ryan Evans, composed as ever in possession, initiated numerous attacks down the left wing linking well with Boyeson.
Wakefield pushed for an equaliser and, on the hour, forced Henry Jackson in the York goal to make a brave save at the feet of a home forward. Shortly thereafter, another long free kick into the York penalty area reached the far post and bounced conveniently for a Wakefield attacker who gave Jackson no chance with a looping header. Jackson made another smart save before Wakefield took the lead when, following a goalmouth scramble, the ball was cleared only to the edge of the area and a Wakefield midfielder drilled an unstoppable shot low into the bottom corner.
Finding themselves 2-1 down with 15 minutes to go, York responded impressively and their pressure resulted in a number of corners one of which was cleared but only as far as Oliver Fash on the edge of the penalty area. He struck a volley left footed through the crowd and past the Wakefield keeper to level the score.
York were not prepared to settle for a draw and Joseph Richardson darted down the right wing, skipped past his full back and hit an early cross to the near post. Ben Myers arrived with perfect timing to beat his marker and toe the ball home and York back into the lead. Richardson repeated the trick moments later this time finding Clarkson who came close to sealing the win. Sorgie was threatening to score on the break as Wakefield committed more men forward. In the final minutes, Morgan chested down a Wakefield cross in his penalty area and found Clarkson. He struck a ball beyond the Wakefield back line and Sorgie’s pace took him away from them to strike home York’s fourth goal and seal the win.
Having fallen behind, York showed great resolve and composure to continue to play good football. It was a fine team performance and well deserved win.
Man of the Match Luca Chan and Adam Clarkson
