adverts

Football 1sts

By Paul Collins

York 3- 3 Lancaster

Two goals in the final two minutes saw a frantic finale to the closing event of the Roses 2005. There is so much passion and pride between the two football teams, and the fact York had already won the competition overall was irrelevant. This was do or die stuff. The first half was an edgy affair with both teams unwilling to push forward in fear of having their defence unlocked. Little was created in the opening half hour, and the monstrous hail stones falling heavily made conditions much worse, for players and fans alike, many of whom ran for cover in the pavilion.

The deadlock was broken by the away team, when Paul Reah ran onto a long ball and knocked past the advancing keeper with his left foot. The jubilation did not last long however, as some poor defending and failing to clear properly from a corner, allowed the York forward to tap in from close range. As half time approached, Lancaster were awarded a penalty for a foul in the area. It was duly converted giving the visitors the advantage once more. 2-1 at half time.

York came out firing in the second half, determined to grab an equaliser. And they got it when the left winger stepped intricately past two tackles and sent a low cross into the area which was met once more by a York player for a easy finish. The teams settled down after that and little was created, with a stop start feel because of injuries or free kicks. The game exploded into life once more when the Lancaster right back finished off a sweeping move involving five players. With a minute to go, the win looked certain. The final sting in the tale came almost immediately when a hopeful ball was sent into the area only for a York player to get on the end of it and equalise. 3-3 was a fair result and both teams will be happy to take a share of the spoils.

Football Men's 2nds

By Richard Mennear

Lancaster 1 - 0 York

This game had all the characteristics of a traditional Roses battle; pride, commitment, passion, oh, and the odd punch or two. In what can only be described as an aggressive encounter, Lancaster came out on top thanks to the only goal of the game, courtesy of centre half Collin Shaw. The tone of the game was set early on when Lancaster's Vinny was booked in the first minute for an outrageous tackle. That booking was something he would later regret as he saw red with only minutes to go, after he attempted to knock seven bells out his York compatriot. Good to see there is still passion in the game. Vinny then decided it would be a good idea to stand at the side of the pitch and chant abusive songs about sheep to the York supporters over the other side.

On the pitch, it was a very close and tight encounter with few clear cut chances created by either side. In truth, Lancaster looked very comfortable at the back and where rarely threatened by the lacklustre forward pair of York, although, having said that Lancaster also lacked potency going forward. The killer blow came with 15 minutes of the first half remaining. Lancaster's centre half leapt like a salmon to carefully side foot the ball home on the volley. He managed to adjust his bodily shape magnificently to steer the ball home. Lancaster managed to keep the lead intact till half time.

The second half saw a slight calming of tempers as the game petered out somewhat. However, with about ten minutes to go the game livened up again when Richard Streeton i.e. Robert Huth, decided to follow through on the York full back after the ball had left the playing surface. The referee described it as 'over enthusiasm' but in truth he could easily have seen the same colour as his shirt, red. This moment of brilliance seemed to stir something deep in Vinny who blew his top and then threw a punch towards the York player. For this slight misdemeanour he was surprisingly sent off with only minutes remaining. However, York failed to take advantage of having an extra man as Lancaster held on for a deserved win. Best players for Lancaster were centre back Jack Frogart and youngster John Prince. Public Relations Officer, Mr Streeton, had this to say, 'it was a very deceiving turf, I didn't know whether to wear moulds or stud boots and as a result my toe nail fell off. Despite this, it was still a fiery encounter and on another day Lancaster would have scored many more goals'.

Men's 3rds

By Richard Mennear

Lancaster University's Men's 3rd team managed to hold on for a draw against a resilient York side in an entertaining encounter. Lancaster had the best of the earlier chances; the first clear effort came in the 15th minute when the Lancaster striker ran on to an excellent through ball only to blast the ball well over the bar. This didn't deter Lancaster though as they again pushed forward thanks to some excellent work down the right flank. If it wasn't for a poor final ball then Lancaster could have taken an early lead. The commitment levels were high from both teams, especially the midfield pairing of York, who seemed to be first to every ball.

York began to get more involved in the game and pushed further up the park. In the 21st minute the deadlock was broken in spectacular style. The York striker held the ball up well before turning on a sixpence and hooking the ball over the defenders and goalkeepers head, an unstoppable effort. It wasn't long before York broke again down the right and a fierce shot was fired in low across the goalmouth, unfortunately for them nobody could manage to get on the end of it. The York players were left to rue that decision in the 25th minute when Lancaster drew level in equally impressive style. From a Lancaster throw in the ball was headed out of the area, however, the ball only went as far as Tom Young, who fired it in off the post on the volley, showing tremendous technique. After the break York became more dominant and pushed forward in search for that second crucial goal. Lancaster was indebted to their excellent keeper, who saved from point blank range on numerous occasions. In fact the away team nearly came away with all the points; however, the Lancaster striker failed to put away a chance that looked harder to miss than score. Lancaster, to their credit, managed to bear the brunt of the York attacks and held on for a very commendable draw against a tough York team.

Football 4ths

By Paul Collins

Lancaster 4 - 1 York

The final few events of Roses 2005 were all about pride after it was confirmed by 11am that York had officially won. The Men's 4th match got Sunday's proceedings underway, and it turned out to be a very good game in which Lancaster emerged with a 4-2 win. York began brighter in the opening period, with some quick attacking down the right wing. The defence, admirably organised by the towering presence of Chris Potter held firm however, whilst Lancaster began to add an attacking impetus and grow as the first half went on. They were pegged back when York opened the scoring. A free kick was awarded on the edge of the area, and the big central defender powered in a shot, which perhaps took a deflection on the way in. The lead did not last long though as Phil hauled the visitors back with a nice left footed chip over the advancing keeper, having chased onto a long free kick. It was goals galore in the first half, as York once more put themselves in front with another free kick from the edge of the area. It was becoming all too familiar. However, another spirited response brought an equaliser before the half time whistle with Adam grabbing the goal to make it 2-2. Whoever did the talking at half time must have said something inspirational, as Lancaster came out all guns blazing and took the game by the scruff of the neck. They began dominating the midfield, winning the 50/50 challenges, and providing the clearer chances. Phil once more got on the score sheet and a fourth goal was added mid way through the second period. The final twenty minutes were all about holding onto the lead, which the visiting team with no problems.