U15s Scarborough Athletic 2-8 York

In a free week in the league calendar, York made the trip to the North Yorkshire coast to play a friendly fixture against Scarborough Athletic.

A much-changed York team, missing a number of players through injury and unavailability, started on the front foot and took the lead in the second minute when a Seb Holowkiewicz corner was controlled and fired home by Dom Weston. Although not quite at their best, York enjoyed a good deal of possession in the Scarborough half of the pitch and created a number of decent half chances. Lewis Marshall showed quick feet with a quick side-step to make space for himself before shooting wide, Weston headed just past the post before a long clearance from keeper Jacob Bryant was helped on to Ben Garbutt Smith by the busy Marshall. Garbutt Smith zipped in a ball which Harry Fort hit on the run, his left footed strike just off target. Jack Gawthorpe showed his composure in the midfield with his tidy passing, Ben Armitage worked hard to cover the ground in the central areas and Weston made a number of good runs out on the left and put in a number of crosses but York were unable to take advantage. Scarborough forced Bryant into a smart save from a free kick and then a near post effort was well kept out at the near post by the confident and alert York keeper. York extended their lead on twenty minutes. Weston was brought down in the box and Holowkiewicz tucked away the resultant spot kick for 2-0. Weston, involved in much of good attacking play, crossed for Enzo Nunnari to head home and make it 3-0. Scarborough, despite trailing, played some neat passing football in the midfield areas and offered a genuine threat up front. Jack Cottam, Alex Gilbey and Billy Hobson were kept busy and had to be on their toes to keep out home side’s mobile and hard-working front line.

At half time York went in three goals to the good but the score slightly flattered them.

The second half was only a few minutes old when Scarborough pulled a deserved goal back to make it 3-1, their striker finding himself through on goal and giving Bryant little chance with a low strike. Scarborough enjoyed a good bit of pressure and possession, opening up York on a couple of occasions during this period. Hobson, Cottam and Gilbey worked well together to provide cover at the back, won their tackles and managed their offside trap to help maintain their team’s two goal lead. York lifted their game, went on the attack and grabbed a fourth goal. Weston crossed and Marshall controlled and finished with a lovely fizzing shot which nestled in the top corner of the net. 4-1 to York. The visitors raised the tempo, tightened up their passing and started to look a lot more impressive going forward to push Scarborough back. An accurate ball out from Bryant was headed on by Armitage to Weston. He found Nunnari, who cleverly controlled and back heeled the ball back into Weston’s path. The left winger scored his second with a low drive across goal to make it 5-1. Garbutt Smith was then on hand to beat his man and finish smartly into the bottom corner. 6-1 and York were dominant and looking ruthless. Garbutt Smith then combined with Holowkiewicz to create space for a cross. The skipper’s deep, spinning ball into the box was met at the far post by the towering, athletic leap of Weston. He guided his cushioned header expertly over the keeper and into the far corner to complete his hat-trick and put York 7-1 up. Marshall went close, his shot hitting the post following a Weston cross. At the other end, Bryant was called upon to make a point blank save after a Scarborough break before York scored number eight when Nunnari launched himself at an Armitage cross from the right. His acrobatic, right-footed volley flew in off the post and had the crowd on their feet. Cottam headed just wide after meeting Jack Gawthorpe’s corner before Bryant made another close range block. Garbutt smith showed composure, skill and pace to beat three men before seeing his shot well saved. The lively Nunnari, looking to complete his hat trick, worked an opening but also saw the keeper keep out his effort. Scarborough completed the scoring with a late penalty.

York, although not playing as well as they would have liked, ran out convincing winners in an enjoyable game played in a good spirit

Man of the Match : Dom Weston – skilful, tricky, determined, goals and assists. Scored a great hat trick and was involved in much of York’s attacking playing.

Scorers: Weston (3), Holowkiewicz (pen), Nunnari (2), Marshall, Garbutt Smith