Uni Football 4ths get off to solid start

York started the stronger of the two teams and played some good attacking football, with the defence having little to do in the first twenty minutes. York’s first effort of note was a freekick from Sam Senchal after Alex Saunders was brought down on the edge of the area. He struck the crossbar with the Hull stopper well and truly beaten.

York continued to mount the pressure, with James Grey seeing two of his efforts drift agonisingly wide of the far post. David Slater and Adam Lister ran the game in central midfield and provided countless chances for the forwards. Their defence clearly lacked confidence, and problems began to form at the back as the Hull stopper suffered from some poor kicking. Saunders took advantage of a weak kick, tackling the last man but he saw his shot tipped over the bar from close range.

Ivan Lourie got up to support Senchal down the right and saw the best of his crosses fizz across the goal line with neither striker able to get a touch. Alex Petitcolin gave the right-back all sorts of problems with his quick feet and pace and often took two players out of the game, giving the midfielders chance to join the attack.

The pressure eventually told for York, as Grey beat his marker down the left and saw his resulting shot spilled by the ‘keeper back to Saunders who took the chance well with his wrong foot. Hull then had their only chance of the half after a defensive lapse in concentration, allowing their left winger to put in a cross unchallenged. Luckily the striker was unable to convert his chance and York remained comfortable.

Minutes later Grey had a decent shout for a penalty after a series of late tackles just inside the box, but was given an advantage by the referee that led nowhere. York countered the resulting attack from Hull and Senchal overpowered the right back to get a shot in which was put out for a corner. Grey took it from the left and his in-swinging cross was met by the head of the centre-back Chris Grayland. York dominated until the break and should really have been two or three goals more ahead.

Hull made their first change minutes into the first half, and the lack of substitutes for York made the fresh legs that bit harder to cope with. The switch paid dividends early in the first half when York’s ‘keeper Andre Silva misjudged the bounce of the ball in windy conditions and parried the ball to the striker who converted his chance.

The score didn't reflect how well we played as a team.
David Slater

York should have extended their lead but saw a series of chances go begging, making for a nervy final ten minutes. The Hull captain then decided to go for the win and changed to a 4-3-3. Slater responded by dropping Saunders into midfield to win the central key battles. York kept possession and held on for the win. A great performance all round, and one which deserved more goals. Still, it was an ideal start to the BUSA league season.

The captain was pleased with the result: “The lads put in a strong performance, we created a lot of chances but the score didn’t reflect how well we played as a team.”

Team Sheet and Player Ratings

• Andre Silva - 7 - Better kicking from him this week, made a crucial save in the first half.

• Ivan Lourie - 7 - Played out of position but still put in a solid performance.

• Chris Grayland - 9 - Contender for Man of the Match, rock at the back, scored winner.

• James Loftus - 7 - Developed a good partnership at the back with Grayland. Solid.

• Joe Harrison - 7 - Didn’t give the Hull winger an inch, linked well with Petitcolin.

• Alex Petitcolin - 7 - Gave the Hull right-back a headache, worked hard for 90 minutes.

• David Slater - 9 - M.O.T.M - Solid in the middle, won every header and organised well.

• Adam Lister - 8 - Looked comfortable and worked hard, a real engine in the midfield.

• Sam Senchal - 7 - Worked hard on the left, used his strength and provided well.

• James Grey - 7 - Set up both goals although missed chances himself.

• Alex Saunders - 7 - Organised from the front, never stopped running.

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