U11s York 5-2 Leeds B
A game that York needed a point to secure a top 4 finish and get us into the play-offs for the league title.
On a day that was not made for football; driving rain, strong winds and cold temperatures the York boys were all up for it and promising a performance… Even when they turned out the changing rooms and saw the Leeds team with an average height of 6 foot!
York started strong in the first third and even in the bad conditions they were trying their best to play football on the ground. Exactly where Brian Clough said football should be played. It didn’t take long for the York lads to get themselves in front with a goal from Ben Farrar within the first 10 minutes.
Matty Ellison and Oz Shaw, who have formed a good partnership in the last few weeks in centre midfield, were holding the centre together really well. Winning balls and playing some nice passes through to the wide areas with the willing runners of Reuben Smith and Max Rhodes.
Another attack saw Reuben Smith work his way into the Leeds penalty area and with a Leeds defender Sliding in from the side a penalty was given. Not sure if the decision was the right one, but without VAR in district football we went with the initial decision from the man in the middle. Reuben Smith stepped up and with a Pogba like run up he stuck the ball into the back of the net.
Leeds made a couple of changes and came back strong putting us under pressure for a good 5 minutes. Stan was playing a sweeper keeper role. Coming out with confidence and making the right decisions. Not many balls were getting past the solid back 3. Jimmy Hendon cleaning up anything through the middle and the full backs Brogan Dunn & Louie Regan were holding up any attacks down the Wings.
The wind died down for the second third and York again looked comfortable in and out of possession. The improvement of the lads was there for all to see. The talking/communication a major improvement and the lads were benefiting from it.
York won a few corners in this 3rd and with Oz Shaw delivering one right into the keeper’s area a good cross was met by a brilliant header that went straight in the onion bag. A brilliant header by Matty Ellison and the look of surprise on his face as the ball went in was fantastic!!!
Another VAR decision was asked for in this game as Stan claimed the ball in front of the Leeds striker but the ref deemed it a penalty kick with a coming together of the players. The Leeds striker stepped up and sent the ball into the net by shooting down the middle.
In the final 3rd York again looked strong and with the front man again getting another sight at goal…Boom it was 4 v 1. Ben Farrar with another goal for himself in this game.
Not soon after Cam McMillan made a great run into the box and he was not tracked as Ben Farrar played the ball across the 6-yard box for Cam McMillan to run onto and give York the breathing space needed to think the win was ours with 5 minutes to go.
A final attack late on saw Leeds pull another goal back, but by now all was too late. .
Goals:
Ben Farrar (2)
Cam McMillan (1)
Matty Ellison (1)
Reuben Smith (1 Pen)
Man Of Match: Matty Ellison
Well done York!