Charge of the White Brigade: Heroes made as York 2s Triumph in Leeds

Worrall Clears Again

"Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well"

Leeds threw everything they had at York in a vicious opening ten-minute spell, but York’s in-form keeper was ably guarded behind some spirited rearguard defending. Whenever a Leeds forward found space, they soon found a white shirt blocking their path to the goal. Carl Worrall and Laurie Swan are forming a solid partnership at the back, with the former epitomising the team spirit when using every part of his anatomy in two quick-fire blocks.

Against the run of play, it was the home side who lost their heads first. A quick ball from Taylor released Remington to lump a ball up the channel for Jeroen Oomen to chase, but the Leeds centre back headed the ball past the onrushing keeper to gift the visitors the lead. Leeds kept bringing the attack to the visitors, but the fluke goal and resolute defending visibly sapped their aggressive vigour.

One goal up at half time, Remington raised the demons of Wednesday’s disappointing result: “Leeds looked like a tidy side but we got to half time 1 – 0 up. I tried to keep the team focused because we lost it at half time last game.”

But rather than coming out to avoid defeat, the York side unleashed their own barrage, with Murrills crossing for Simon Oatridge to volley home the second goal. Remington said: “From then on we were pretty sound and we did really well. Everyone gave 110%. I was proud of everyone. I’d just like to say well done to the whole team.”

The closest Leeds came to scoring was from a 35 yard volley which clipped the outside of the post, but the back four and holding midfielder Dan Sitkin dominated the Leeds attack for the full 90 minutes. In the game’s dying moments, continued brave forward play from Jeroen Oomen earnt the visitors a penalty, giving Remington the chance to cap a fine performance with a third goal. But, missing his target as spectacularly as Lord Cardigan, Remington failed to convert.

However, the unceremonious ending did not distract from the feat achieved. Honor the charge they made, honor the white Brigade.

Team Sheet and Player Ratings

• George Taylor – 8 –Benefited from the last ditch defending in front of him, but also claimed some crucial crosses and showed decent handling under pressure.

• Remi Remington C – 8 – Growing into the captain’s role. Always a threat on the attack, and popped up with the occasional block at the back.

• Greg Gardner – 8 – Another very solid game, forming a promising partnership in the back four.

• Laurie Swan – 8 – Showed maturity and learnt from Wednesday’s mistakes

• Carl Worrall – 8 – Leading from the back with calmness and the knack to be in the right place at the right time.

• Alex Richards – 8 – Protected the back four, and got forward at crucial times to keep Leeds under pressure. Won aerial balls ruthlessly.

• Dan Sitkin – 9 – Again forced off after a heavy tackle in the second half, but protected the back four with great skill. York’s ball winner.

• Ed Murrills – 8 – Had the Leeds left back in his pocket.

• Kit Edwards – 7 – Kept the side balanced and covered well when Remington was getting forward.

• Simon Oatridge – 9 – Never stopped running and constantly keeping the hosts under pressure, well worth his goal, and the Man of the Match vote.

• Jeroen Oomen – 8 – Again playing in an unfamiliar position, but coping admirably and showed great tenacity to finish the game carrying a groin strain.

Subs

• Jay Hewitt – 7 – Replaced Dan Sitkin in the second half and picked up the pace of the game quickly, being kept on the bench only by the consistency of Gardner’s performances.

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