September 25, 2023...Analysis: Better, But Plenty More is Required in Next Week's Monumental Battle (from York United FC website)
ANALYSIS: BETTER, BUT PLENTY MORE IS REQUIRED IN NEXT WEEK'S MONUMENTAL BATTLE The Nine Stripes greatly restricted Cavalry FC but ultimately they couldn't unlock a stubborn defence despite creating a handful of chances. THE DETAILS NINE STRIPES PRODUCE IMPROVED PERFORMANCE York United were kind of lacklustre in the last two fixtures played at home. So, despite the defeat, the boys did show a lot of energy and desire to bag the points. The Nine Stripes out-passed the Cavs [449 v 311] and 86% of those passes were accurate, while they also had four shots on targets out of nine in total and bossed 59% of possession. In the second half, they came close to equalizing but were denied by the heroics of Cavalry goalkeeper Marco Carducci. Austin Ricci delivered a cross from the right side but Carducci intercepted to deny Kevin dos Santos from grabbing his sixth league goal of the season. Later, a glorious opportunity dropped in front of Ricci but his effort, with the outside of the boot, went wide of the far post. Despite dropping valuable points, The Gaffer was pleased with the total performance. "I think we came with the right mindset - first and foremost - in both halves," Martin Nash said in his post-game press conference. "They [Cavalry] tried to get to us and they had a few set pieces and other things but I think the mindset coming out for each half that needs to be the way it was. I think in the second half, we were moving the ball quicker, pinning them back and we were switching play better. When you switch play, teams have to move and you can find overloads and get in good areas and we got some good crosses in the box. We were causing them problems. We tucked [Austin] Ricci inside and left the wing for Johnny [Grant] and he was getting forward and they were playing some good combinations. Ricci had a great chance that he sliced wide and another chance dropped for Johnny too." THE DETAILS NINE STRIPES PRODUCE IMPROVED PERFORMANCE York United were kind of lacklustre in the last two fixtures played at home. The lads showed a lot of energy and there was the desire to bag the points. The Nine Stripes out-passed the Cavs [449v311] and 86% of those passes were accurate. York had four shots on targets out of nine in total and bossed 59% of possession. In the second half, they came close to equalizing but were denied by the heroics of Cavalry goalkeeper Marco Carducci. Austin Ricci delivered a cross from the right side but Carducci intercepted to deny Osaze De Rosario from connecting home. A glorious opportunity dropped in front of Ricci but his effort, with the outside of the boot, went wide. Despite dropping valuable points, the Gaffer was pleased with the total performance. "I think we came with the right mindset - first and foremost - in both halves," Martin Nash said in his post-game press conference. "They [Cavalry] tried to get to us and they had a few set pieces and other things but I think the mindset coming out for each half that needs to be the way it was. I think in the second half, we were moving the ball quicker, pinning them back and we were switching play better. When you switch play, teams have to move and you can find overloads and get in good areas and we got some good crosses in the box. We were causing them problems. We tucked [Austin] Ricci inside and left the wing for Johnny [Grant] and he was getting forward and they were playing some good combinations. Ricci had a great chance that he sliced wide and another chance dropped for Johnny too." JONATHAN GRANT’S BACK TO HIS BEST With a 7.5 rating, Grant was the best York United player. The right-back produced a typified performance; making the runs on the right and preventing Cavalry’s Bradley Kandem from joining the attack. Grant was making his first start since July when he picked up an injury against Halifax Wanderers at home. It was a determined showing from the veteran too, as he made the most tackles in the match and managed a 100% success rate. PLAYOFF DREAM NOT OVER YET A third straight home defeat but York United are still right in the playoff mix thanks to other results spectacularly going their way. Immediately after this defeat last weekend, fourth-placed Halifax Wanderers went to the league's basement club, Vancouver FC, knowing a win would ensure their place in the postseason. They lost in injury time. On Sunday, fifth-placed Atletico Ottawa knew a win in their final home game of the season would move them four points clear of The Nine Stripes and in complete control of their own destiny. Facing the already-eliminated Valour FC, they also lost in injury time. So, here's how the picture looks with two fixtures remaining for each team. Next Sunday - October 1 - York United FC host Atletico Ottawa in a do-or-die battle at York Lions Stadium. Win and they'll jump above the side from the capital and lead them by two points heading into the final game of the 2023 regular season. But, their home form has been exceptionally poor. In total - from 13 fixtures on home soil - York United have accumulated just 11 points: 33% of their overall points total. However, they've matched up extremely well to Ottawa this season. From a possible nine points, they've taken seven and it should've been more. Back on August 5th, York led 2-0 after 26 minutes at TD Place, only to squander the advantage and allow the home side level at 2-2 after an hour. Having re-taken the lead shortly after, they failed to hold on and leaked another equalizer inside the last 10 minutes in what was an exhausting 3-3 draw. Nash is fully aware of what needs to happen next weekend. The boss said: "We're one point back as it stands right now. And we've managed to beat Ottawa twice this year already. So, hopefully it's one of those teams that we match up well against. They are a good side so we'll attack the week the way we need to." KADIN MARTIN-PEREUX’S FULL DEBUT AND U21 MINUTES The 20-year-old was handed his first start since signing for the club and he convinced in 79 minutes he lasted on the pitch with 84% accurate passes and 75% successful dribbles. He made one headed clearance and three recoveries and his output caught the eyes of experienced man Paris Gee. "Yeah, switching things up definitely changed things a little bit. Kadin [Martin-Pereux] also coming out on the left, Jeremy [Gagnon-Lapare] playing as a number 10. Overall, I think the guys who started put in a decent performance," said Gee. Martin-Pereux's contribution also greatly helped York United in their quest to reach the U-21 mandated league threshold of 2,000 minutes. Between him, Eleias Himaras returning in goal and Carson Buschmann-Dormond coming off the bench in the second half, the club have now reached 1,787 with two games remaining. So, Nash - who has been without the long-term absentee Marki Voytsekhovskyy since June and simultaneously lost two of his go-to U21 players (Himaras and Noah Abatneh) to injury for over a month - requires 213 minutes to hit the target.back to 2023 York United FC menu
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