The Y&E made it to the Quarter Finals of the North Riding Senior Cup with an 3-0 win on penalties following and eventful 90 minutes that saw them reduced to 9 men and concede a 93 minute penalty as the game finished 3-3.

With York riding high in the National League, they understandably took the decision to field a young squad, made up from their youth set up. There was a few in their line up who had made it to their first team squad.

With the game against Newbiggin last Saturday called off due to the weather, Jacko named a strong first XI for the visit of the Minstermen. Callum in goal, Joe Dalton right back, Sam Conway on the left with Cam, Douggs & Jack Dalton in the middle of defence. In midfield HST alongside JL10, with Marshy, Harry W & Ste Roberts as our front three.

There was 128 in attendance with a fair few of the Y&E support wearing the new bobble hats that had just been delivered. The first batch is sold out, but never fear more is on the way! Early on York were in the ascendancy, with most of the early possession and plenty of pace up front, particularly their number 7 Eddie Kettlewell down their right hand side. They had a few good chances, but for some wasteful finishing they would have been at least a goal up.

We had a couple of chances including a break from Ste, who played it across to Joe Dalton rather than shooting and it was saved. The deadlock was finally broken on 34 minutes, an HST free kick on the left, just inside the York half, ball falls in the box to Joe Dalton who made no mistake with an excellent finish. We nearly doubled our lead a few minutes later, Marshy playing a lovely ball to Ste Roberts and his shot rattled the cross bar. It wasn’t a dirty game, but there was a fair few fouls being called by the ref, Marshy went in the book late in the first half, their 9 was booked for a late challenge on Dougs. As the half finished we were playing much better, had improved as the half went on. York were still very much in the game and Kettlewell in particular was causing issues, one of the only players I’ve seen out pace Sam Conway. Half time and 1-0 up.

Early on in one second half and we’d had a couple of half chances. The York keeper coming out for a clearance and nearly being caught out, Ste Roberts with a cross just beyond Harry Williams head. At the other end York had some good chances, one that was deflected over then somehow they missed from the following corner. On 56 minutes we doubled our lead. A lovely ball from Jack Dalton found Ste Roberts in the box and he made no mistake slotting home to make it 2-0. A two goal cushion in a cup game with 30mins left. We’ve Been there already this season. We were looking relatively comfortable and nearly saw the assist of the season, with a superb reverse ball from HST, dummy by Ste and nearly through to Harry Williams. Pete Bulmer came on for Joe Dalton.

York got one back just after the hour. A break down the right hand side and a cross in to the six yard box, where striker Ben Farrar was on hand to slot it home. 2-1. A shift in momentum. Callum was called on to make a superb save a few minutes later to deny Kettlewell once more. JL10 was in the book for a foul. York grabbed an equaliser on 69minutes, substitute Sutton Greening with a lovely finish after a goal mouth scramble broke to him on the edge of the box. 2-2. Momentum well and truly with the visitors now. Leo came on for Ste Roberts.

On 74minutes we went down to 10men. Jack Dalton in the book for a foul and almost immediately he was booked for dissent. 2 yellows and he was off. Down to 10 men, back to 2-2. It wasn’t looking good. But a minute later it was looking a lot better, a long ball from Callum, bounced over their defensive line and Harry Williams slotted it home. Long ball Y&E again 😉. 3-2 Y&E. After the goal Hillers was in the book from the bench after a tussle on the sidelines as the York players looked to get the ball back for kick off.

15mins left. 10 men. A one goal lead to defend. Just hold out and make it through to the next round. The task was made a touch more difficult on 83mins, when Alex Dougall was sent off for a second booking. I hadn’t picked up the first one, there was that many referees whistles being blown! 9 men with 7 mins plus stoppage time to defend a 3-2 lead. Scaiffe came on for Harry W. We looked to manage the game, but in the third minute of six added on Callum fouled their player in the box and the ref pointed to the spot. A penalty to York City 90+3 mins. Sutton Greening stepped up and buried it bottom left past Callum. 3-3. Towards pens we went, Tom & Hillers came on for Leo and Sam Conway. Full time. Penalties.

Could it be more penalty heartache for the Y&E? First up was Cameron Wild. A tidy finish from the skipper. 1-0. Next up Callum saves to his left. Next up Hillers. First touch of the game. Scores. 2-0. York for their second, again Callum saves to his left. Tom with our third, scores 3-0. York have to score to stay in the game. Their player puts it over and the Y&E win a dramatic game on penalties.

It would have been an enjoyable game for a neutral. 6 goals, 2 sendings off, some good play from both sides and a penalty shoot out.

Credit to York. A young team, but they played well. The better team first half, plenty of pace, knocked the ball around well. Some very good players, particularly Kettlewell and their captain Ollie Belleh. It’ll be interesting to see how many of them can break in to their first X1 over the remainder of the season. Good luck to them for the rest of their campaign.

It’s always entertaining watching the Y&E. A hard earned victory in the end. Made it a little bit more challenging going down to 9 men, but we managed to get win in the end. It was important to get through to the next round, especially after losing to Prudhoe the week before in the league cup.

Some good performances from us. Good to see Harry Williams get a goal to back up his work rate. HST another assist and another quality midfield display. Callum with some superb saves, 2 in the shoot out and an assist. He’ll take that. Match sponsor Preston Farm Developments selected Callum & Titch as joint men of the match.

Let’s see who we get in the next round. I don’t know about you but an away trip would be nice. Just not a Tuesday in Bridlington to see us away at Scarborough!

Howay the mighty Y&E 🔵⚪️🦅

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