York V Torquay United 15th November 2008

Many thanks geddingtongull , you go on as long as you want or need too, we need to enjoy all the good times as TUFC fans, as we have had more than our fair share of the not so good ones.

Just thought I would contribute what I can remember of the York game. United played three at the back, with Mansell and Nico wide, CH and Wroe in the middle and Thompson behind Dsane and Sills. Both sides passed it about a bit to start with without getting anywhere much but Sodje should have scored when clean through on goal but shot high and wide , though from where I was I thought Bevan did well to stand up, close him down and I think put him off a bit. Sodje also blazed high and wide when through on the right a bit later. Most of the threat seemed to come down the right initially. There wasn't much direct threat from Gulls at this stage, Mansell driving one high and wide from the right edge of the box. A Dsane flick from a cross nearly found Sills in front of goal but just dropped in front of him - I think he was surprised at the ball reaching him. Dsane was excellent in my opinion, holding the ball up, twisting and turning and taking men on - he gave them plenty of problems. A particular highlight for me, which showed the team spirit, was Sills chasing back from the York half into his own penalty area to nod the ball back to Bevan and cut out a dangerous York break. For the most part Utd passed the ball around well enough in midfield without creating clear-cut openings but then scored a goal of stunning quality at any level worthy of winning any match. Hargreaves picked the ball up in midfield and spotted Thopmson free on the left. He set him free and Thompson picked out Dsane breaking on the right, finding him with a beautifully wieghted pass with the outside of his right foot, bending it round and behind the last defender for Dsane to finish first time - a classic counter-attack goal. Wroe almost scored when he burst into the box but hit it straight at the keeper. It would have been particularly pleasing for the former York man as he had been booed by a number of home fans throughout. Bevan made a great save, tipping a header over that looked on its way in. Another scrambled effort bobbled wide of Utd'a goal and then York had an equaliser disallowed for offside, a close call. I think it was Dyer who was offside, which reminded me that he was playing - he was slow and ineffective (see later note !). With Utd looking to hang on to the three points they failed to stop Greaves from getting in a header from a corner and the scores were level. Just when most of Utd's 240 or so fans were trying to convince themselves that a draw was still a good result after being so close to winning, the game had one more twist. Utd won a free kick for a clumsy foul near the right corner flag, Nico swung it in, York failed to clear and Ellis drove it in at the far post - brilliant ! A great team effort, team selection and tactics spot on I reckon for a tricky game ( first home defeat for York ?) and considering injuries. Ellis was excellent, Hargreaves was tireless as usual and made some good covering tackles at the back, Thompson covered a lot of ground and his part in the goal was fantastic. Dsane was star man for me, for his goal and his general hard work and trickery up front that kept York defenders on their toes. As a postscript, a couple of things I noticed in the "Captain's column" of the match programme - referring to Hogg's debut for York in the Setanta Shield match against Mansfield, " He picked up the £3 Setanta champagne for his MOM performance". Setanta splashing out there then ! Referring to Bruce Dyer later in the same column, "Bruce also graced a York jersey for the first time and looked really sharp considering he has not played since 1983," ! No wonder he looked a bit rusty on Sat !

Thoroughly enjoyed my day in York. I thought we looked a very strong and composed unit once again with plenty of spirit and commitment on show. The Maltings still serves a mean pint and I like the set up in the social club. £3 for a programme seemed excessive to me.

Dennis Smith was in the club shop before the game for a book signing and Alan Hay was on the pitch more than he ever was in his time for us when he did the 50/50 draw at half time!