U13s Hull 3-7 York

York visited Hull, determined to continue their recent run of good form which had seen them win their previous three fixtures. They began brightly, showing their positive intention by putting Hull under pressure, forcing them to turn over possession a number of times deep in their own half of the pitch. York almost took an early lead – Harry Fort latched onto a cross, only to see his left foot strike pushed wide by the keeper. On the five minute mark, they made their pressure tell – Ben Garbutt-Smith dispossessed a defender and finished smartly to put his side 1-0 up. A good passing move led to Garbutt-Smith setting up Joe Thompson, whose shot on the run was well saved. Within ten minutes, Seb Holowkiewicz fired in a free kick to extend York’s lead and then, following a corner, Leo Littlewood rose well to steer a header just wide. York maintained their attacking threat – Holowkiewicz scored his second, his team’s third, from another long range free kick and York appeared to be cruising. At 3-0 down, however, Hull started to string a few passes together and create chances. They hit the bar and then, just before half time, pulled a goal back from a free kick which took a deflection on its way into the York net. This was a timely warning for York who went into the break 3-1 to the good but wary of the threat from Hull.

Second half and York went looking to put the game out of reach. Littlewood scored with a nice header from a Garbutt-Smith cross and Thompson finished smartly after being put through by Billy Dickinson. After losing players before the game through illness and then two players due to injury during the game, it was to be expected that York’s energy levels would drop at some stage. Hull sensed this and began to enjoy more possession as the game wore on. They pulled a goal back from a free kick before Garbutt-Smith broke clear to grab his second and York’s sixth with a good, low finish into the bottom corner of the net. Hull scored a third from the penalty spot before Jacob Bryant (goalkeeper turned super-striker) completed the scoring in the final minute when his shot flew in off the crossbar after good work from Lleyton Brown. Although not quite at  their best, an injury-hit York worked hard and showed fantastic team spirit to run out deserved winners.

Scorers : Garbutt-Smith (2), Holowkiewicz (2), Littlewood, Thompson, Bryant

MOM : Billy Dickinson – won his midfield battles, showed composure on the ball, a good defensive shield for his defenders.