Thirsk Men’s 1st Team played the bottom of the league Halifax on Saturday on the late start at Thirsk. The game started brightly with Thirsk creating chances, but the final passes were either just out of reach or the shot was wide with the Halifax keeper not really having to make a save in the entire first half.  With the score 0-0 at halftime Thirsk sat down for their team talk and were asked to start playing their game, not the long ball routine that Halifax were trying.  A small reshuffle of the formation and Thirsk came out in the second half with more intent and purpose and started to get some shots on target and found the keeper equal to their efforts. As the pitch gradually started to freeze over Halifax started to ask how long was left and were then starting to complain about the pitch, hoping the game would be called and enough time played for the result to stand at 0-0 and they earn only their 5th point of the season, but after a short conference the umpires said to continue and advise that the pitch was slippy in the corner so please be careful both sides.  With Halifax still moaning about the pitch their hopes of a point were lessened when some nice interchange in the middle of the parked found Ben Scaling played in to the D and strike the ball hard between the keeper’s legs to open the scoring. This partially spurred Halifax; however their attacking intents were stopped by a well organised defence and their spirits were broken as Captain Jono Sharman found time and space in the middle of the park to pick out Paul Doyle with a hard strike, whose first time deflection flashed past the keeper and into the roof of the net before the keeper could react to make it 2-0.  With time running out and the pitch deteriorating Thirsk could not mount any further significant attempts on goal and easily kept out any Halifax attack and record only their 3rd clean sheet of the season.  Man of the match was awarded to Phil Hughes for a dependable performance at the right back position.

The Men’s 2nd team recorded their biggest win of the season with a composed and determined display against Ben Rhydding. At half time the score was 9-1, with many well worked team goals, fast passing and movement off the ball. The team talk at half time was a challenge to keep up the scoring at the same rate in the second half.  The team did not disappoint with goals from many clinical attacks, and included a fine tomahawk from Harry Goodall. The goal scorers were Mark Robinson 2, Tom Westgate 2, Harry Goodall 2, Sam Bosomworth 2, Oliver Houseman 3, and Arthur Hunt 7. The final score of 18-3 is a record we believe for the Men’s 2nd team.

Thirsk seconds play two matches and record two wins. Our Saturday match took us to mid-table York, against whom we had recorded a 2-2 draw at home in December.

Thirsk scored first after five minutes, however we conceded after the ball hit one of our defenders, our players paused expecting a penalty corner to be blown, but York took advantage of the delayed whistle and scored. Entering the second half, the game was in the balance but we scored from a free hit from outside the 23. Charlie passed the ball to Rob who relayed it to Jake who deposited it into the goal with a strike from the top of the circle. Charlie  Whitfield earned a short corner from a poor tackle. A cunning pass to the right post (VERY convincingly disguised as an awful shot) allowed Jake to deflect the ball into the goal for his second of the day. Jake nearly scored a third but generously made a pass to Joe to let him net his second goal of the day. Sadly with three seconds remaining Jake didn’t retreat five within our 23, giving away a short corner, which York converted, to end the game a 4-2 win.

Our Sunday match was at Airedale. Andrew McCann took on the role of captain. In an unrelated event, we were 2-0 down within the first half, but shortly after the start of the second half a superb strike from the top of the circle from Alex Board gave us our first goal. Jake managed to attack the circle but was taken out by the goalkeeper with a two-footed assault that would have seen him sent off in a football match. We got a penalty corner. Anyway we took the positive from the situation as we scored shortly afterwards with Joe making a reverse stick shot. Later Jonathan Statham passed to Jake who directed the ball into the bottom right hand corner. We had a tense last few minutes trying to keep our lead, and despite conceding a penalty corner when an Airedale attacker fell over in the vague vicinity of Andrew. Luckily we managed to clear the ball up the pitch and took another valuable away win, 3-2 and now third in Division 6 north.

Thirsk U16 girls travelled to Wakefield on Sunday 25th January to compete in the Yorkshire Finals of the EHB Cup. The task was to beat Sheffield in the semi-final, and therefore be one of the two Yorkshire qualifiers.  Thirsk started briskly with Lucy Williams, Helena Youmans  and Annabel Hill feeding early passes on the break to both Emilia Proctor and Alice Foster, but they failed to control well on the bouncy surface, and did not test the goalkeeper. Thirsk did work well down the left with Ella Durkin, Lucy and Laura Bosomworth combining well, and it was from one of these left sided attacks that Thirsk opened the scoring, as Lucy created enough space for herself to ‘tomahawk’ the ball into the goal.  Neither side added to the score line in the first half.  In the second half Sheffield came out with more of a threat, and Amalia Watkins and Ella were put to the test in defence. Amalia looked very assured, with several fine tackles and interceptions.  Thirsk were always a threat going forward, Charlotte Hollinrake and Charlotte Roberts both getting involved in attacks down the right. Thirsk got a second goal as Lucy latched on to a rebound from Emelia’s effort, following great play from Gina Garnett and fired home. Thirsk though were indebted at the other end to Louella Gill who pulled off two fine saves, one of which was a hand save that she diverted on to the post. The game had a further twist, following Helena’s yellow card for infringing 5 metre’s once too often. Sheffield broke quickly and an unmarked attacker at the back post was able to score. The final two minutes were a little tense, but the girl’s held out for a 2-1 win and a place in the North Finals.  Thirsk then played a ‘final’ versus arch rival and home team Wakefield. Thirsk took an early lead through Lucy’s determined endeavor. Wakefield equalized with a penalty stroke following a foot on the goal line. They took the lead early in the second half with a tremendous top D strike, and a third from a penalty corner move. Thirsk pulled one back with Alice flicking in to the net, and did finish strongly but lost out 3-2 in a very competitive game. Well done to all involved, you are a credit to yourselves, your coach Jo Lightfoot (who couldn’t be there on the day), and to your club. Thanks to the raucous support in the stands from all the parents.

The under 14 girls B team were in action on Sunday at Harrogate to play three games in the Yorkshire Youth League(YYHL). The first match against Driffield saw the Thirsk team start slowly as they settled into their positions.  Within a short time however they picked up the pace and started to put pressure on Driffield.  The only goal of the match was scored 5 minutes into play by Romey Dawson, who’s positioning on the wing was strong.  Thirsk’s defence was tested most in this match with some poor passing allowing Driffield to make some good attacks but goalie Emily kept them out.  However Thirsk battled back with Lil and then Hattie Smith chasing balls down the centre and whilst the team had more chances they were unable to score again.  The game ended 1-0.

After an hour off the second match was against Halifax who were looking strong right from the off and as a consequence Thirsk changed its formation.  The new positioning gave the team much more space to move the ball in the midfield from a strong centre, consequently most of the play was in the oppositions half.   Defence supplied by Summer, Oona and Izzy Levin were very strong in general with only one slip catching them off guard when on a break, Driffield had a ‘one on one’ with Thirsk GK but Emily came out on top and the threat was quashed quickly.  After overall good positioning and hardwork by Ellen, Niamh and Amelia as midfield players, the constant pressure put on the opposition allowed Flora to score on her right wing post and then with only 3 minutes left Millie’s valiant play got her a well-deserved goal. A 2-0 win.

The final game was against York B.  Unfortunately Ellen and Niamh had to leave and Lil was taken ill, thus leaving the squad down to 12.  However this wasn’t a problem, coming out attacking straight away Millie scored quickly after 1 minute, this immediately giving the team confidence.  Strong support was offered by Amelia as centre mid and good positioning by left and right midfields; Hattie Sowray and Izzy W enabled Thirsk to keep the play wide.   Whilst York played well, Thirsk were the stronger team and another 4 goals were scored by Romey, Issy Wood, Annabel and finally Millie getting her third goal of the day. An even better 5-0 win.

Submitted by Club Reporter.