Clash of the Minsters Football: Team Sunderland Mens Firsts 6-1 York St John Mens Firsts

Team Sunderland Mens Football firstss downed York St John firsts in superb fashion following a resounding 6-1 victory at Clash of the Minsters.

Goals from Zouhair Benali, Charis Saitikis, George Pinder and Lewis Charlton were more than enough to see off a sorry York side as Sunderland’s dominance showed on the day.

James Clarke’s side were eager to put a poor performance last week against Teeside in the TeesWear Varsity behind them and did not look to be hanging around as Benali beat the offside trap to race through down the left, but he fired his effort just wide.

However, on 11 minutes they had the breakthrough as an error from the York St John goalkeeper saw Saitikis steal the ball and prod home for 1-0.

And just three minutes later Sunderland doubled their lead. This time, George Pinder was the scorer, firing home brilliantly on the volley from a cross out wide, and leaving the keeper with no chance.

York, who had started sloppy, pulled one back against the run of play 20 minutes in, as the forward spun his marker and shot low past Paul Wright into the corner.

But Sunderland soon had their two goal lead again, as the impressive Benali curled home from range after being laid off by Pinder.

And it got even better for the hosts on the stroke of half-time as Saitikis grabbed his second of the day for 4-1, fizzing an effort low past the keeper.

The second half continued in much the same manner, with York’s keeper being the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Countless efforts came and went, but midway through the half Sunderland grabbed their fifth of the afternoon as Charlton coolly finished off a fine move.

Charlton came close again shorty after, chipping over an effort after being set through on goal out wide, but he needn’t worry as Team Sunderland converted a penalty late on to seal victory for Team Sunderland.