U12s York 4-1 Hull

 

Scorers: Rennocks (2), Meek, Jefferson-Hallett

Following defeat to Leeds in their previous game, York Under 12s got back to winning ways with a well-deserved victory against a tenacious Hull side. York started the game brightly, getting the ball down and passing quickly to make light of the difficult, blustery conditions. Unfortunately, a couple of half chances went begging early on before Hull started to claw their way into the game. It was York, however, who took the lead early in the first half – Arthur Jefferson-Hallett crossed from the right to set up James Rennocks, who finished confidently to make the score 1-0. Kiam Browne then flashed a ball across the Hull goal before the same player saw a low strike hit the post and go wide. Hull had chances of their own, hitting the crossbar during one sustained attack and then forcing home keeper Jacob Bryant to sweep up smartly behind the defensive line of Harry Shane, Billy Hobson and Ben Armitage. It was Hobson who began the move for York’s second goal. Winning the ball deep in his own half, he played a delicious ball into the path of Joseph Meek, who jinked and dribbled his way into the area before hitting a right-footed shot that the Hull keeper couldn’t keep out. 2-0. Just before half time, York’s pressure brought further reward. A corner from the right was headed in at the far post by Jefferson-Hallett. 3-0 to York at the interval.

Hull came out for the second half pumped up, determined to hit back at York and give them as little time as possible on the ball. Unfortunately, York succumbed to this pressure. A corner from the right wasn’t dealt with properly and Hull took advantage to pull a goal back. Hull’s confidence was raised and they began to attack more freely. Shane, Hobson and Jack Redman worked well together to keep things tight at the back, win their battles and play smart passes into midfield to begin moves for their team. Goalkeeper Jack Yates, on at half-time for Bryant, saved courageously at the feet of the Hull forward, forcing the ball wide to avert danger and keep Hull at bay. After soaking up this pressure, York started to reassert themselves. Following a home corner, Shane and Jefferson-Hallett both attempted acrobatic overhead kicks, which lead to the latter player putting his chance just wide of the mark and then, in a move similar to York’s first goal, Jefferson-Hallett set up Rennocks for his second of the match. 4-1 and job pretty much done. With not long left, Meek seized on a loose ball and set off on a mazy dribble, before laying the ball off to Harry Fort. His smart, clipped pass over the Hull defence set up Rennocks, who was unlucky to see his effort smothered by the Hull keeper.

Both sides deserve credit for the way they handled the conditions and tried to keep the ball on the ground to counter the strong wind. In a game where they didn’t quite get into their rhythm, York worked hard against a strong, dogged Hull team to run out deserved 4-1 victors.

MOM : Billy Hobson – cool and composed; great use of the ball from defence to set up a number of attacks for his team.