U13s York 4-2
It was a welcome return home for the York & District Schoolboys after 2 away games and a pandemic that meant it was our first competitive home fixture since March 2020. Despite a slow start the York team showed great resilience and determination to come from 2 goals down to win a very competitive game against Barnsley.
The first quarter of the game was quite tentative with both teams’ defences cancelling each other out. York were playing some nice midfield combinations and the excellent pairing of Daniel Kennedy and Dylan Harvey were having success on the right. The game burst into life when an unfortunate mistake from York goalkeeper Ben Alder allowed Barnsley to slot home the opener unopposed. Barnsley were now attacking well down the left-hand side and got through again to strike across goal to go 2-0 up against a stunned York.
Ewan Waddington entered the fray from the restart after the 2nd Barnsley goal and within a minute York were back in the game. A one-two between Ewan Daly and Harvey pulled the ball back for Waddington to strike with his first touch. Back came York and Daly was involved again feeding Harrison Clark out wide who danced his way into the penalty box only to be fouled for a penalty. Daly duly stepped up to make it 2-2 ensuring a fantastic response from York as both teams headed to half time.
The 2nd half got off to the worst possible start with Barnsley awarded a penalty when Harley Waddington impeded the Barnsley striker while trying to get his shot away. Fortunately for York the penalty was pulled wide…a massive let off. Harry Clarkson was now dominant in midfield driving the team forward having the security of Waddington and Miles Merer behind him. Harvey and Clark were also creating havoc on the wings and would combine wonderfully for York’s 3rd goal, with Harvey’s cross met by Clark’s head to give York the lead. Gorczyczewski replaced Daly upfront to continue the pressure on Barnsley, and the fit again Oliver Oaten replaced Archie Klaar at left full back. Joe Turbine and Harley Waddington at the centre of defence were working very hard to ensure York’s slender lead was protected. Alder was called into action to save a Barnsley free kick as the game ebbed and flowed.
York finally got some breathing space on the scoreboard as Clark fired home a first time shot into the bottom left corner to complete a fantastic turnaround. Wolfgang Bauer was back on to help shore up midfield and see the game out for York. Barnsley were not done and continued to push for more goals and a combination of excellent defending and unlucky finishing meant that York hung on for the 4-2 win, showing great resilience and determination to come back for the win, building momentum on the back of the victory against Leeds the week before.
Next up in the league is Wakefield at home in 2 weeks’ time.
Scorers: Waddington, Daly (pen), Clark 2
