October 13, 2021...Preview: Playoffs The Only Game in Town as York United Head Into The West (from York United FC website)

PREVIEW: PLAYOFFS THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN AS YORK UNITED HEAD INTO THE WEST

Thursday night sees a third meeting of the season with Cavalry FC.

With the CPL's fourth and final playoff spot on the line, York United must summon every
tact and wit when they cross to the west coast to face Cavalry FC at Spruce Meadows
on Thursday night.

The Nine Stripes got pushed down to fifth place on earlier this week when HFX Wanderers
produced a headline-grabbing performance and posted a 1-0 home win over leaders Pacific FC.

However, despite now sitting one point outside the top-four, Jimmy Brennan's side still
hold the aces having played one game less. But, it was their inability to make home
advantage count against Atletico Ottawa last Friday at York Lions Stadium that became
a talking point.

Despite dominating the statistics and having territorial dominance, York United lacked
the cutting edge to turn possession into penetration.

It was an injury-time Jordan Wilson header which earned a 1-1 draw to spare their blushes
after Mista's side took the lead thanks to a Malcolm Shaw penalty. The decision to award
came after Chrisnovic N'Sa clipped Ryan Telfer inside the box, and although it looked
like an innocuous touch, referee Renzo Villanueva pointed to the spot.

"What was missing from our game? I just think we weren't clinical, we weren't clinical
in that final third" said Brennan in his post-match interview after the come-from-behind
performance.

"We got into the right areas, we made some good runs. I think we were hesitant at times."

Stats don't lie. York United had 13 shots from inside the box with defender N'Sa
tallying the highest (3) while Atleti managed seven overall.

With six of those York shots on target compared to the visitors' four, Brennan was
baffled by his side's poor conversion rate.

He added: "When we should have shot, we didn't - we were looking for that pass and when
we do get in those areas, the quality has to be there. And it's been like that for
a number of games."

"We have scored 28 goals now so we can score when we get into the right areas. Tonight
we got into those areas so expected to have a few more."

They get another chance against Cavalry.

York United are yet to win against the Cavs this term having played them twice during
the Winnipeg 'bubble'. The first clash - a 2021 season opener in June - was a narrow
loss while they managed a goalless draw the following month.

It looks like the dice is loaded against The Nine Stripes to get a favourable result
on the road but the gaffer believes his side possess the requisite quality to breathe
life back into their push for the playoffs.

"The players know what is at stake. They want to make the playoffs, that's their goal,"
a confident Brennan said.

"As we started to come out of the bubble, we had a huge belief about us, that we can
get there. And the players can see it now and they are embracing the challenge.''

Defender Wilson - the saviour against Ottawa - admits he and his teammates must sharpen
their shooting skills and learn how to kill off those opponents they dominate.

"I think what we need to do is be a bit more clinical in the final third. That's not
putting pressure on only the attackers but just in general. In the box, I think we must
be a bit daring and more aggressive and selfish at times," he said.

"But we have a good attitude, our spirits are high."

Cavalry FC started their six-game homestand on Saturday by playing out a 1-1 draw
with FC Edmonton.

Tommy Wheeldon Jr's are in are in third place on the table with 27 points.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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