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RECAP: Fiery Firsts, Title sealed, Eleven Heaven & Dramatic Comeback

RECAP: Fiery Firsts, Title sealed, Eleven Heaven & Dramatic Comeback

Jay Taylor8 Feb 2019 - 21:23
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All four teams were in action once again on Wednesday afternoon, all of which at home at Haxby Road.

After a cagey and even start between the two top teams, i2i were dealt a huge blow shortly after the half hour mark when Mexican midfielder Juan Lomelin was shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident. Looking back on the footage, it seemed remarkably harsh to send the player off. Nevertheless the battle continued and as expected YSJ drew first blood from the penalty spot. As time ticked by, it was still a relatively closely-fought encounter with little to choose between the two sides. However YSJ did double their lead which effectively wrapped up the victory. It still could have panned out differently though as Marcos Garcia reduced the deficit late on heading into the back of the net. In the aftermath of the goal, YSJ were also reduced to ten men for an altercation. And the action wasn’t finished there, as Garcia squandered a golden opportunity to snatch a point with the last kick of the match, but the Californian talisman fired just off target.

i2i/YSJ 1sts 1-2 YSJ 1sts

Standings: The 1sts probably need to win all of their remaining matches if they are going to make it back-to-back promotions

The 2nds scored 11 in a game for the second time this season, against the same opposition too. The deadlock actually took a quarter of an hour to be broken when Jonah Ulery’s effort from distance could only be parried allowing for Haydn Bechthold to turn home the rebound. Trey Jackson’s dangerous long throws are difficult to deal with for any team, but YSJ 6ths struggle more than most as they flicked one in to make it 2-0 on 27 minutes. The 2nds managed three goals in the space of five minutes as the first half reached its conclusion. Jelani Moore tapped in, Kyntrel Hendrickson glanced home and Brandon Malek swept past the keeper making amends for his earlier penalty miss. The second half followed in a similar fashion as Haydn Bechthold bent a free-kick into the back of the net before Malek tapped in his second. At this point it was simply a case of ‘how many’ as left wing-back Zach Norton rose like a salmon to elegantly head into the top corner making it eight. A couple of poor mistakes from the goalkeeper saw Owen Ludlow and Jordan Vasquez get on the scoresheet before Ludlow rounded off a brilliant days work by volleying in right on the final whistle.

i2i/YSJ 2nds 11-1 YSJ 6ths

Standings: The 2nds sit level top having played a game more than leaders Hull

The 3rds knew that a win over rivals RIASA would confirm promotion and the title win at Haxby Road. And lively striker Tal Hit fired i2i off to the perfect start as he couldn’t be denied twice by the visiting rear-guard. Just over 10 minutes had passed and Jason Blunt’s side were two to the good as Lincoln Augenstein’s enticing cross was diverted in by an away team defender. The 3rds were looking comfortable but they had goalkeeper Tanner Kennard to thank on the half hour mark as he made a quite brilliant double save to deny the visitors. The contest took a twist ten minutes into the second half when RIASA pulled a goal back against the run of play. It was a thoroughly enjoyable encounter at Haxby Road with both sides giving it absolutely everything to gain the advantage, but it was i2i who netted the crucial fourth goal as substitute Gavin Hendrick beautifully bent a curling effort into the bottom corner to seal a title clinching victory and maintain the 100% record.

i2i/YSJ 3rds 3-1 RIASA

Standings: 8 wins out of 8 with a cup quarter-final to play next week

With the 3rds wrapping up the league title, the 4ths were looking to close in on second place, but they got off to the worst possible start as Teeside took a second minute lead scrambling home from a corner. Once the 4ths settled down, the match evened out and Tolan Huseyin-Halleck missed a brilliant chance to equalise when being set in behind but his effort was kept out by the keeper’s legs. However the visitors from the North East doubled their lead 12 minutes into the second half putting them in control. Having said that they never looked in control though as Nelly & Dan’s side regrouped and worked their way back into the match as Julio Castro-Nieves squared to Huseyin-Halleck for a tap-in. The 4ths were then level on 74 minutes as classy midfielder James Clarke impressively found the back of the net from outside the box. There only looked like being one winner from this point onwards as i2i looked brimming with confidence and belief. In the final minute of injury time at the end of the second half, the remarkable comeback was complete as substitute Pablo Ruiz coolly stroked home a penalty kick.

i2i/YSJ 4ths 3-2 Teeside

Standings: The 4ths remain in 3rd place one point behind Newcastle in 2nd

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