Youth team report: York City 1 Halifax 2

[acombred]

York City 1 Halifax Town 2
Report by Carrie Stockdale

The YT’s found themselves on the wrong end of a result this week although the referee didn’t help matters.

Team: Stockdale, Kamara, Anderson (c), Staley, Baynes, Stewart, Webster, Ashcroft, Arthur, Haw, Lyons. Subs: Collins, Britton, James, Poole

The game started off quiet and seemed to build up slowly with York being given a string of free kicks, the third of these taken by Arthur straight to the Halifax keeper.

York played some good passing football and looked the most likely to score of the two sides. A good run by Ashcroft, passed out wide to Arthur whose shot was deflected wide of the post.

Just before half time York had another good chance from a throw in by Kamara, flicked on by Webster cleared to the edge of the box by the Halifax defence, falling to Baynes who shot just wide of the post.

Half Time 0 - 0

The second half proved to be a real test of character for the lads with the referee making some controversial decisions.

A run by Lyons who passed to Stewart, shot across the keeper to go just wide of the post.

After a good run of pressure from York, Lyons appeared to be brought down in the box and the appeals for a penalty seemed to fall on deaf ears.

A long clearance by Stockdale fell to Haw who controlled well and passed to Webster who put the ball out wide to Stewart on the left, he went past the last man and a left footed shot went across the keeper and in off the post.

1 – 0

Within ten minutes Halifax had levelled, a counter attack from well inside their own half to a shot outside the box into the net.

1 – 1

The last 15 minutes were filled with controversy after Halifax were given a penalty under very dubious circumstances, Stockdale went the right way and looked to get a hand to it but could not keep it out of the back of the net.

Full Time – 1 – 2

The team worked hard and still lost, what do these lads have to do to win a game!

The man of the match was a difficult decision this week as all the lads played well but I think it should really go to Mike Staley, who was strong and worked hard throughout.

The YT’s next game is the 2nd round of The FA Youth Cup against Macclesfield at Bootham Crescent on Wednesday 5th November, 7pm kick off.