Thirsk's U14 boys' do themselves few favours in Div 3 YYHL outing

Fitness levels, and loss of possession cost Thirsk's U14s valuable YYHL points

Thirsk's U14 Boys' team played their Div 3 YYHL fixtures at Thirsk on Sun 12th February.

The first match was against Sheffield Hallam and an opportunity for James as Capt to play up front for a change, rather than his customary stint in defence, as has been the case this season. Hamish making his season YYHL debut as left-back gave a good account of himself and a fabulous pass from defence to James in the Sheffield 23 resulted in a goal for James. A second goal by James was disallowed which would have put Thirsk as 2-0 winners but, with Sheffield being awarded a goal through a ball off James's stick, the match ended a frustrating 1-1 draw.

The second match against Halifax was a repeat of the first where Thirsk seemed to dominate and a goal for Thirsk which should have secured the win; alas, a momentary slip in concentration and the match ended as another frustrating 1-1 draw.

The last match against York was one where Thirsk's fitness levels seemed inferior compared to York's. The cold and wet was intense and boys' were wearing hoodies under team shirts to try and keep warm. Fatigue, coupled with a bout of Thirsk players being lax in keeping possession and regularly hitting the ball carelessly to the opposition, (often within our own 23 area), meant that even Dan's heroics could not save the day. End result a 1-0 defeat.

Special mention to DanV who responded to a mid-morning call to come down and play in goal for York as they did not have a GK; he gave a very good account of himself for York's matches!

Fitness, (lack of) at a collective team level, to play high intensity hockey for 25 minutes a game; keeping possession of the ball for large periods of each game, and; the cold were the team's challenges today, and resulted in a Thirsk not capitalising on what should have been a good position to play to their strengths, fixture wise.

Lots to learn lads and to take back to training.

Many thanks to Will for umpiring.

Players' Player: Dan(GK); for a morning of amazing saves which got more and more frequent due to ball retention issues

Manager's Player: Owen for a great shift in midfield, never giving up and battling for each ball, until the last whistle of each game

Team photo:

Henry, Oliver, Arthur, Ben, Jacob(vice-Capt), Dan(GK), Matty, JackD, Hamish, TomC, Owen

Front: Guy, James(Capt)