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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
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James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Captain Remi Remington told his players to ‘think Liverpool’ pre-match, trying to invoke a heavy thrashing of what was a poor Teeside 4th XI.
The captain used the opportunity presented by a home fixture against a weak side to reshuffle his attacking cards. Brennan partnered Murphy up top, with Dutch star Jeroen Oomen swapping to left wing, and experienced Andy Ramsden moved back into his favoured holding midfield role.
But the changes failed to ignite the sparks that have been missing from York’s play since the magnificent away win against Leeds 2nds (form franked yesterday as the York 1st XI lost to the same Leeds 2nd XI). The goals that the home side conceded were “stupid mistakes” according to Remington, and the home defence will be disappointed that they failed to keep a clean sheet against such a limp attacking team. The team came with little energy or creativity, packing five across the midfield, and leaving just one up front.
“We dominated the whole match, we had 75% of possession while the other team had nothing,” said the captain. “They came at us with nothing, we controlled the game throughout, we had chances but it all went wrong in front of goal really. We missed three one on ones that we need to start putting away. It’s just that last kick of the ball into the back of the net that’s letting us down at the moment.”
One of those golden opportunities fell to Anton Murphy, who described it as “a f**king terrible miss.” But he was quick to offer an explanation: “I’ve just come back from injury and I’m low on confidence. I’m getting assists, I’m working hard for the team, but I’m just not getting goals. I don’t know what’s going on. I really need to step my game up".
“Once I get that one goal, they’re going to come like buses. I’ve been through these spells in my life before. I’m a player that is based on goals. Once I get the one goal going again I’ll be back on form. But the team can’t wait for me to get this goal. I need it pretty soon.”
However, Remington was keen to focus on the positive concerning his troubled striker: “I’ll give Anton a little round of applause [because] he did do well down that wing and he pulled the ball back nicely for Alex to tap in at the front post for the first goal. It was a very well worked goal.”
Richards’ composed finish cancelled out Teeside’s opening goal, which came after a long ball defeated Rixon and Swann. Remington was forced to come across and cover the advancing Teeside striker who, doing well to get the shot off, assisted a goal when his strike hit the far post and the ball fell kindly to his team mate.
In the second half York’s midfield completely dominated as they pushed on for a winner, but with both Brennan and Murphy missing chances the goal just didn’t seem like it was going to come. This was until a free kick 25 yards out presented established taker Richards with a golden opportunity to put the side ahead. However, Remington surprised everyone when sniffing an opportunity - “I saw the wall wasn’t in position so I said I’m having it” - and he promptly bent it round the wall and into the back of the net.
But the last laugh belonged to Teeside, who equalised in the dying minutes as ‘keeper Taylor – whose main challenge in the game so far had been keeping concentration – was caught stranded coming for a ball that he might not have needed to, allowing the away forward to slip the ball into the bottom corner.
Although they were the only York side to avoid defeat yesterday, the 2nd XI will take no pleasure from failing to beat what could easily be the worst side they will meet all season. Their next chance to make amends is this Saturday, when all four teams are at home in an NUL fixture vs Central Lancashire.
4 - 4 - 2
Subs
York's goals were scored by Richards and Remington. Man of the Match was awarded to Andy Ramsden.
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