U11s York 2-2 East Riding

York Schoolboys welcomed table toppers East Riding on Saturday for a titanic clash between the league’s in form teams, both with their 100% records on the line.

This was a full blood and thunder affair with crunching tackles and full commitment from both teams. There was also some excellent football on show which was no surprise considering the calibre of both teams.

Things got off to a bad start for York with a free headed goal to East Riding from a dead ball situation, but the reaction from the York boys was fantastic. From then until the end of the first period it was one-way traffic with Oliver Boast and Thomas Holtby taking control of midfield. Numerous chances came and went before a beautiful through ball for Bodhi Justice saw him round the keeper to slot home a deserved equaliser.

The second period followed a similar pattern of York pressure, chances and good defending against a dangerous East Riding attack who looked threatening on the counter. The referee needed eyes in the back of his head as things started to get very physical with Justice and Logan White taking some strong challenges. All square heading into the final period.

East Riding pushed 2 upfront for the last 20mins as the game got stretched with both teams looking for a winner. Great running from Logan White resulted in a beautiful curled shot into the top corner to take a well-earned 2-1 lead. But then came East Riding who pushed for the equaliser. Their 2 centre forwards looked very dangerous on the break but York’s Zac Watson in goals was equal to the task to keep them at bay, quick off his line on a number of occasions. At the other end a jinking run in the box ended with a foul on Justice and Boast stepped up to take the penalty. It was expertly saved by the East Riding keeper to keep the game alive. Eventually the counter attack paid off for East Riding with their 2 centre forwards combining to make it 2-2 with a few minutes left.

York pushed for the winner and almost found it with a peach of a cross from Justice to White at the back post, with a glancing header just inches wide.

A pulsating encounter finished 2-2.

Scorers: Justice, White