Young Reserves Gain Victory

By: Martin Copass
Date: 19/02/2003

A YOUTHFUL looking reserve team gained revenge for their early season drubbing at York by winning their game today by two goals to nil.

The team sheet given out wasn't entirely accurate, but any regular reserve should have had not problem picking out the new trialist players. With such a young side being picked by coach Paul Groves, it would not have been totally unexpected if the performance was not exactly a great one, and this is what happened in the first half, as neither goalkeeper was kept busy on what was a very cold afternoon.

In fact there were only three efforts from both sides in the entire half, with the best one falling to American Jake Sagare who blasted the ball over the bar. It would be unfair to criticise the Town team which had many who had little or no experience of playing together, but the opposition showed little in terms of breaking the deadlock and the half ended as it began with a 0-0 score line.

No changes were made at half time, but just seven minutes later, Robert Dickinson on trial from Ipswich Town, got his chance to show what he could do. With Town showing much better in the second half, it was not surprise when they took the lead on the hour mark, when Kirk Wheeler scored from close range after the York defence failed to clear a Hockless corner.

York almost came back into the game two minutes later when a fine effort just cleared the bar, but the game was probably put beyond their reach when Stephen Downes scored Town’s second goal just five minuets after Wheelers opener.

A fine ball through the midfield put Sager on his way, but his effort was well saved by York keeper Collinson only for the following up Stephen Downes to put in the rebound.

The Town youngsters seemed to be speared on by the two-goal lead, as they seemed to be pushing forward in the attempt to increase their lead. There were further efforts from Hockless and Rowan, but the York keeper was never really troubled any more as Town ran out winners by two goals to nil.

This was certainly sweet revenge for Town who had suffered a 7-0 thrashing at Bootham Crescent although they did play a large majority of that game without a regular keeper. Town’s keeper Allaway was never really troubled throughout the afternoon, and the youngster just about deserved their hard earned victory. The trialists on show performed quite well, with left back Kevin George taking the honours with a good performance from him.

The next game for the reserves is next Wednesday when they travel to play Darlington k.o. 7pm.

Town: Allaway, Hyam, George, Hildred, Wheeler, Young, Rowan, Downes, Sager, Hockless, Brabs.
Subs: Dickinson, Pettinger, Davy, Lightowler, Carchedi.

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