Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Written by Ben Smith
York started the match extremely well, showing the extra determination and hunger which had been lacking previously and quickly converted their domination into a goal with Mark “Magic” Johnson meeting a Jack Crane cross with a sweet volley to the bottom corner. The goal started a defensive capitulation for Teeside who gifted Joe Cooper a goal after falling over a well weighted Johnson through ball leaving the striker to drill home York’s second.
The opposition failed to cope with the width provided by wing backs Crane and Remington who tortured the full backs to deliver inviting crosses for the front men. Cooper, who had a lively 1st half, was again threatening the Teeside goal, drilling the crossbar with a superb volley from 20 yards before narrowly missing a back post header and sending a difficult low cross over the bar. York were in total control and it was no surprise when Cooper and then strike partner Cox both made the most of more woeful Teeside defending to give York a 4-0 half time lead.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with York dominating and looking eminently comfortable at the back however some of the drive and ruthlessness had dissipated in the face of such poor opposition and the possibility of a double figures drubbing .
Teeside threatened on occasion in the 2nd half forcing York ‘keeper Wynd, who was mostly an interested spectator (of the 1st and 3rds games as well!), into a smart save. York failed to fully capitalise on their superiority and the only goal of the half went to Jack Crane/Kit Edwards who combined to bundle home a pinpoint Grayland cross.
The 5-0 winning margin was a tad disappointing however the attitude and reaction of the entire squad bodes extremely well for York 2nds as they look to gain a respectful league finish and build momentum on the “Road to Roses”.
Scorers: M. Johnson J. Cooper x2 D. Cox J. Crane/ Kit Edwards
Team: Wynd, Grayland, Worrall, Jabarkhyl, Crane, Remington, Edwards, Johnson (Molyneux 70), Richards, Cooper (Smith 70), Cox
MOM: Magic Johnson
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