Sunderland Men’s 4ths 5 – 2 York St.Johns 7ths
he torrential rain that stopped the first half early, didn’t dampen Sunderland spirits as the 4ths got their first win of the season in a 5-2 thriller.
Ethan Nicol put in one of the best performances seen by the 4ths this season as he found the back of the net four times to the delight of his teammates.
The pressure was on both sides heading into the game, with both Sunderland 4ths and York St. Johns 7ths struggling in the league so points were necessary if either side didn’t want to finish bottom of the league.
Sunderland were left stunned early on as York scored within the first 30 seconds, Brandon Crumbie with an exceptional save from 4 yards out but he could only watch as York’s striker headed home the rebound.
But Sunderland replied with multiple chances coming their way, and it only took 12 minutes for the equaliser as Mathew Jackson played a sublime ball from 30 yards into Ethan Nicol who poked the ball into the far corner.
Nicol also demonstrated his passing ability, crossing first time he managed to find Mark Peterka at the back post for an easy goal in the 17th minute.
York could not handle the long balls and vision from Mathew Jackson as he played another long ball which the centre backs could not deal with which allowed Nicol to finish with a well-timed half volley into the far corner in the 30th minute.
After a delayed second half due to torrential rain, York scored early in the second half with their winger dancing his way through the defence and placing the ball with precision into the far corner. But Mark Peterka took inspiration from this and was also finding his way through the York defence before being taken down for a penalty in 57th minute.
It didn’t take much convincing to get Ethan Nichol on the penalty as he blasted the ball into the top left corner which the keeper couldn’t do anything about.
Over the last few weeks, the 4ths have been left without a natural goalkeeper but with Brandon Crumbie being called up for the side their defence looked more stable.
Crumbie even managed to get a surprise assist as his goal kick managed to find Ethan Nicol who opened his body and tucked the ball into the far corner at the end of the game.
