U15s Rotherham 2- 5 York & District

U15s League – Matchday 3
Rotherham v York & District
14th October 2023, Rotherham

Team Lineup: Ben Alder, Luca Long, Oliver Waygood, Charlie Anderson, Harry Waines, Jungi Park, Isaac Arif, Ewan Daly, Matthew Orr, Finn Davis, Oliver Boast, Olaf Gorczyczewski

Matchday 3 of the U15s Yorkshire League saw York travel to Rotherham for an early kick-off in the sunny, but cold, conditions on Saturday 14th October. Despite the low number of players available, York turned in a really solid performance to run out comfortable winners against a competitive Rotherham side, to keep up their solid start to the league campaign.

York started the game well, with Oliver Boast making an immediate impact from the left-forward position, regularly beating his opposite number and getting shots away. On the opposite flank Ewan Daly was also a threat and it was through his accurate delivery from a corner that Olaf Gorczyczewski powered home an unstoppable header for the opening goal.

But back came Rotherham and a fast break down the right, saw them draw level with a wonderful cross and headed goal. York then made some positional tweaks to combat the Rotherham threat down the flanks with Isaac Arif and Matthew Orr shifting into the wing positions. But York got their noses back in front with Boast again beating his man on the left to score. Daly then provided another assist with an in-swinging freekick onto Boast’s head to make it 3-1 and give York some breathing room.

The midfield trio of Jungi Park, Harry Waines and Olaf Gorczyczewski were working well as a unit and the wingers were now providing the protection on the flanks. At the back Charlie Anderson, Luca Long and Oliver Waygood were solid and using the sweeper system to ensure there was always someone available to clean up. Ben Alder in goal was very solid and claimed every high ball which gave confidence to his defenders.

A great pass out of defence from Long set Boast free, who beat the offside trap, rounded the keeper but was dragged down for a penalty. Boast dusted himself off and slotted the penalty into the bottom left hand corner to make it 4-1 heading to the break.

Second half and Rotherham came out with intent and managed to get one back to keep York on their toes. With Boast now off nursing a tight hamstring, Finn Davis was leading the line and had a couple of half chances to extend York’s lead. An out of character “sin bin” for Arif meant that York had to play 10 mins with 10 players but a shift to a more defensive shape helped to stem any Rotherham attacks and upon Arif’s return York took control of the game. A wonderful run and cross from Orr was controlled by Waines and he slotted the ball into the net for York’s 5th goal. Rotherham to their credit kept going but Alder was solid with every corner and the defence held out well, including building out from the back creating the attacks. Gorczyczewski and Orr were impressive in the last minutes, menacing the Rotherham defence with constant running, overlaps and crosses into the box.

A fantastic team effort all round with players really putting a huge amount of work in, and especially players working in different positions as the team managed through injuries and niggles. A well earned 3 points to add to the solid start in the league. A tough away fixture to Hull awaits next week.

Final score: Rotherham 2 – 5 York & District
Scorers: Boast x 3, Gorczyczewski, Waines