After the U16 boys successful round one of YYHL’s Division 1 last month, where they maintained their position in the league, they traveled to Pocklington School for what was guaranteed to be a challenging test in terms of the weather conditions and opposition with the newly promoted strong Harrogate team joining Doncaster and Ben Rhydding.
The boys, led by captain James Foster, played their first game against Doncaster, a team containing a number of JRPC and two national players, but knew after only narrowly losing to them in round 1 that this was a game they could win. The rain was unrelenting from the start but both teams managed to play open and expansive hockey with Doncaster scoring the first goal after the Thirsk defence had successfully managed to keep out a series of attacks. Thirsk responded strongly and came back with a number of well worked attacks built up from a strong midfield performance and pressure eventually lead to opportunity with Thirsk awarded a penalty flick. Unfortunately Connor Watson’s flick was saved but it showed that Thirsk were able to apply pressure and that goals would come. Doncaster scored a second goal from open play shortly after that but again the Thirsk boys showed a real resilience, strength of character and the signs of a maturing team by reacting strongly with multiple attacks on Doncaster which eventually seeded a well worked goal by Conner Watson. Connor’s work rate, together with Josh Fothergill, kept asking questions of the Doncaster defence for the last 10 mins of the game with a notable momentum change from that point and Thirsk should consider themselves unlucky not to get an equaliser in what was a very even game. Michael Darcy was given the task of man-marking one of Doncaster’s key players out of the game and it should be noted that he did this very well – well done Michael. Final result Doncaster 2 – 1 Thirsk.
Next match was against Ben Rhydding, who’d beaten an underperforming Thirsk 3-0 last month, in a game the boys knew they needed a result from. The team started strongly with the focus being on maintaining the confidence and momentum built in the first match. Ben Rhydding struggled with our mid field control and the success of Sean Oldham’s aerial passes to Connor Watson and Josh Fothergill. Pressure soon lead to goals with Connor Watson again on target. The rebound from a saved Thirsk short corner gave Ben McIntosh a rare goal scoring opportunity with a drag flick into the top left corner and as the rain eased up the final whistle blew with a result Ben Rhydding 0 - 2 Thirsk.
Thirsk’s final game was against the newly promoted Harrogate and the weather took a further turn for the worse with both teams needing to show strength of character as the rain lashed down. Thirsk played well for the first 15 mins with and the impressive work rate from Ben McIntosh, Hugo Merchie and Harrison Downs, who all had tired legs, kept the team going forwards. Thirsk scored from open play with Josh Fothergill getting behind the Harrogate defensive with his characteristic speed and dogged determination. Harrogate reacted strongly and Thirsk had to sustain a number of attacking waves with the Harrogate midfield doing a good job of pushing their attack wide moving the Thirsk defence around effectively. A late short corner gave the equaliser they deserved in what was a difficult match in heavy rain – Harrogate 1 -1 Thirsk.
The boys showed real strength of character having developed and gelled considerably over the first two rounds of the YYHL which produced a genuine squad performance today. Well done.