Image by Matthew Appleby
York City U19s came from two goals down to claim a point against Boston United on Wednesday in the National League U19 Alliance North.
Coming off the back of a disappointing FA Youth Cup exit last midweek, York City U19s latest task came against table-topping Boston United, who boasted an unbeaten start to the season.
There were six changes to the team that played against Guiseley, with Adam Tweed, Oz Shaw, Greg Baker, Aaron Dijikingue, Noah Mortimer, and Harvey Hope all returning to the starting eleven.
Just like a week earlier, City fell behind early, this time within the opening three minutes, as a block by Alex Glynn fell only as far as Zac Hardy on the edge of the box, who curled an exquisite low shot into the bottom corner with his first touch.
And in the fifth minute, Boston doubled their advantage, winning the ball back within their own half, and bursting forward.
An accurate lob was played through to Hardy, who coolly chipped the oncoming Harry Carr, creating an unwanted situation for the Minstermen very early doors.
The hosts looked to get back in the game and succeeded in doing so, through Noah Mortimer, just ten minutes after the Pilgrims had grabbed their second.
A clever bit of play saw Glynn reverse it to MacKenzie Crooks, who fired across from the left for Mortimer to slide in at the back post.
Crooks not only bagged an assist, but went on to score a goal of his own to continue the entertainment at Wigginton Road.
A poor kick from the Boston ‘keeper allowed the left-back to intercept just inside the opposition half, and within a matter of seconds, a couple of passes allowed Crooks to regain the ball inside the box, and dispatch low and hard past Austin Barker from an angle.
York could even have gone on to complete the most unlikely turnaround after just 23 minutes played, Crooks lifting one into the danger zone, only to see Hope go inches away from getting that all-important finishing touch.
City’s number three notched another effort on goal with a free kick from a decent position, but it was struck straight into the arms of Barker.
The game continued to transform into the MacKenzie Crooks show – once again, the 17-year-old did not shy away from shooting, releasing a rocket from range which narrowly evaded the crossbar.
Jake Roberts replaced Ben Farrar in attack in a forced change after 40 minutes.
Crooks was on the ball again before the break, as he whipped a troubling ball into the penalty area, finding Donny Day, whose initial blocked effort sparked handball shouts which were quickly waved away.
Day’s second bite at the cherry came a little closer, placing one the wrong side of the post, but only by a small margin.
The final action of a frantic first half involved substitute Roberts, who claimed to have been hacked down by the Boston defender within the area, however, referee Craig Atkin denied the penalty appeals once again.
City came close again early on in the second half – Crooks’ free kick managed to find Greg Baker at point-blank range, but his flick towards goal was excellently turned wide by Barker.
Crooks fired low and off-target again from inside the ‘D’, as York looked by far the most likely team to edge ahead in this contest.
In the 84th minute, Day had his goalbound effort deflected away, which was ultimately the last real chance of the match, with all the goals occurring in the first 21 minutes.
The next match for the U19s is next Wednesday (16th October) at home to Chester.
YORK CITY: Carr, Tweed, Shaw (78’ Wilson), Baker, Dijikingue, Crooks, Mortimer (65’ Nganga), Glynn, Day, Hope (60’ Douglas), Farrar (40’ Roberts).
UNUSED SUBS: Newall.
BOSTON UNITED: Barker, Hipkin (85’ Bridges), Houlston, Tomlinson, Brooks, Snikeris, Fogg (60’ Bray-Smith), Thompson, Pettitt, Hardy (70’ Makings), Smaller (46’ Greenfield).
UNUSED SUBS: Marsh.