After success for both the 1st and 2nd teams, it was time for the thirds to carry on the trend and claim a clean sweep. Lancaster’s 3rds was made up by a college select team, consisting of players nominated by college captains.
As Saturday kicked-off, fans flooded to the pitch to see whether Lancaster will continue their men’s footballing dominance, or whether York would claim a victory back. The fans’ mood was dampened on arrival, as were the fans in general, as rain began to hammer down during the opening phases of play.
The players battled through the conditions, with Lancaster beginning to dominate the game, led by some showboating and creativity from Lancaster’s number 11 Sam Bradshaw. The rain came down but York’s floodgates remained shut, as Lancaster couldn’t quite find the killer final ball to find the breakthrough.
Lancaster continued to come forward, and found a way through the York defence twice, however on both occasions the offside flag was raised against Lancaster’s Josh Nurney. The closest they came to a breakthrough in the first half was a 30 yard free-kick hit by Matt Taylor, which was well headed away by York as it looked a certain goal.
The frustration of not being able to make a breakthrough took its toll, with the last major talking point of the first half saw Lancaster’s midfielder Adam Wedgwood fly into a Lee Cattermole-esque challenge, fortunately only escaping with a yellow card. The half, and the rain, fizzled out by half-time with the scores level at 0-0.
Straight after the second half began, Lancaster continued in their dominant fashion and found the breakthrough, Josh Nurney with a delightful lob over the keeper made it 1-0, this time no offside given. York responded by growing into the game and forced a few long range shots, however Lancaster, marshalled by skipper Luke Graham, snuffed out the majority of York’s threat.
Lancaster’s push for a second goal paid off as midfielder Wedgwood fired a Gerrard style effort from 30 yards, and saw it deflect off of a York defender and loop into the top corner of the net making it 2-0 Lancaster.
A third was nearly added by right back Matt Taylor, as his cheeky free kick almost crept in at the near post and required a smart save by York’s goalie. York battled hard to get back in the game, the closest they came was a couple of goal bound efforts, well dealt with by Lancaster. Overall, a deserved victory, 2-0 for Lancaster’s 3rds. Three wins for Lancaster University.
