Thirsk men’s second XI team travelled to Driffield on Saturday Jan 28th. The game started with Thirsk being in control and making some good passes down the flanks and up the middle. With a new formation being tried it worked well to start with, with Andrew Jackson making some brilliant passes out to the wings to James Laking and Richard Taylor. The first 15 minutes of the game both sides were pretty even both sides failing to reach the goal with some near misses. With a pass from Andrew Jackson from the half way line that found James Laking, who drove the ball deep into Driffields defence. Tom Ward pulling the last defender away to make a clear shot for James to hit it home. Driffield 0 – Thirsk 1! Driffield were quick to respond and made some fast passes and Thirsk were caught on the hop and they drew level.
Thirsk were awarded a short corner and with a brilliant feed from Nathan Harding gave Andrew Jackson the chance to get on the score sheet and he did do just that with Thirsk again taking the lead. This seemed to be a wakeup call for Driffield and they responded again by putting away two goals to finish the half ahead of Thirsk 3-2.
Second half under way and injuries where racking up with Richard out with a back problem the chance for Martin Brown to shine, made some solid tackles and kept Driffield out of Thirsk defence for a while. Thirsk had some good play up the wings and tracking the ball back round the backs. Unfortunately it was not enough to keep Driffield away and with in the second half they managed to score another 3 goals before the end. Thirsk where unlucky on a few occasions with some short corners being missed by the umpire. New recruits saw Patrick take to the pitch and as always some solid defending from Mike and Dean Porter. The game ended 6-2 defeat to Thirsk.
Match report by James Laking

Thirsk Mens 2nd team were at home against Bradford. The second half of the season under way, and despite some early chances which Thirsk did not take, they found themselves quickly 3-0 down. Bradford were very slick in attack, and converted their first 3 chances. Thirsk however continued to pass well, and were rewarded before half time with two goals, following good inter passing in midfield between Ian Foxley, Andrew Jackson and James Laking, and it was Chris Gabbott, who score on each occasion.
Coming out in the second half at 3-2 down, Thirsk started well, and Richard Taylor calmly slotted away an equalizer. But Bradford capitalized on Thirsk easily giving away possession, and on two occasions, despite great initial saves by Joe Dickinson, were quickest to put away the rebound. Thirsk fought on and when Andrew got a fourth goal, it looked as though Thirsk might be still in with a chance. But it was Bradford who had the final say, to complete a 6-4 win.

The men’s seconds at home against Leeds Adel Carnegie on a cold and slightly frozen pitch started with constant pressure from Leeds. Despite valiant defending and spending most of the game in their own half the first half ended only 3-0 down. Playing with a couple of under 16 players and two of the stronger play makers seconded by the first team Thirsk had difficulty taking the game to Leeds. The second half proceeded much as the first and again being mostly defending the goals were rather inevitable. Joe Dickinson in goal made sure that many attempts did not get through but as the defence tired the gaps became bigger and Leeds ran out 9-0 winners. Despite the score there was constant work by Thirsk that did lead to three opportunities at the back post that unfortunately were not converted. A goal against the team third in our division would have been a nice reward for all the effort.

Thirsk men’s seconds travelled to York with a strong team, and were able to build some nice play in the first quarter of the game. Patrick Hunt, and James Laking combined well down the left, and James cut into the circle forcing a penalty corner. Thirsk converted this with a fine strike from Andrew Jackson. Thirsk continued to play well and forced the York goalkeeper into two good saves, thanks to great wing play from Richard Taylor. But a ball given away too easily in centre field led to York’s first attack of the half, and a quick through ball was latched onto, and the shot neatly dispatched for an equalizer. Within two minutes Thirsk were behind when the defence allowed them to penetrate easily down their right.
At 2-1 down, Thirsk needed to get back into the game straight after the break. But this only occurred in brief patches as York grew in confidence. Rafe Skippings had a couple of nice openings at the back post. But it was York who scored next extending to 3-1, and try as Thirsk did they could not break York down effectively. York scored a fortunate late fourth goal, when a deflected cross fell easily to their centre forward. Final score York 4-1 Thirsk

Saturday 26th November saw Thirsk men’s seconds at home against Ben Rhydding 5th team. Thirsk were the first team into their stride in this close encounter, and built several periods of good pressure on the opposition circle. Richard Taylor down the right caused problems for their defence and forced a penalty corner, but Thirsk did not convert. Ben Rhydding started to get their play going, and Joe Dickinson made a good save, and Dean Porter relieved the pressure well. Thirsk took the lead through a slick attack down the right as Richard and John Atkinson combined well, feeding Liam Evans, who put away a neat reverse slap inside the far post. They could of made it two when another attack down the right fed Peter Woodward, but he was unable to get his shot away.
Ben Rhydding equalized early in the second half, after a half clearance, allowed them a second shot at the back post. Ben Rhydding could have gone ahead, when they were awarded a penalty flick, but Joe magnificently saved it, and this gave Thirsk a greater sense of urgency. Rafe Skippings failed to put away a chance at the far post, Richard and Chris Gabbot fired narrowly wide. Thirsk built more pressure on their circle, and a Trevor Bosomworth drive lead to a penalty corner. A slick move was executed as Trevor set up Liam for his second goal, and a 2-1 lead. Thirsk had chances to go further ahead, but conceded with 5 minutes to go from their penalty corner. In the dying seconds Thirsk could have sealed a victory, but Richard fired just wide of the post, and Trevor’s dive could not connect with the ball. Final score 2-2.

Thirsk Mens 2nd team played away at Harrogate on 19th November 2011, and started with a rearranged defence. Harrogate were quick to exploit the disorganization in the Thirsk ranks and with 20 minutes gone Harrogate had scored 5 goals without reply. Another swift change of formation lead to Thirsk not conceding again before half time. Ben Irving and Dean Porter in particular were fantastic in slowing up and breaking down the Harrogate attacks. As the half wore on Thirsk did start to put pressure on the Harrogate circle, and Nathan Harding was denied by a good slide from there keeper, and Andrew Jackson’s penalty corner was well saved.
The second half was a more even affair, with Mike Rushmere, the late arriving Jon Statham, Ben and Dean really starting to limit Harrogate’s attacks. Patrick Hunt was able to threaten the Harrogate circle regularly, and Nathan again went close. Thirsk did concede a very soft sixth goal following a mix up between goalkeeper and defender. But Thirsk can be pleased with the resolve shown in the second half. Final score 6-0 to Harrogate.

Thirsk mens seconds entertained York on Saturday 12th November. The game was dominated from the beginning by Thirsk, with Ian Foxley and Andrew Jackson in particular helping to control the midfield. This allowed for some excellent attacks down both wings. Thirsk took the lead, when Andrew followed up a blocked effort, beating two players before squeezing it past the goalkeeper. Thirsk made it two when Richard Taylor was able to pounce on a rebound.  It was 3-0 at half time thanks to great play from Patrick Hunt down the right, who cut inside and set up Nathan Harding at the far post.

The second half was a similar story as Thirsk piled on the pressure. Liam Evans got the first of his two goals, mainly thanks to Ian’s incisive pass finding Trevor Bosomworth, and his great cross. Rafe Skippings then stylishly met a cross from Richard, firing the ball into the roof of the net. Liam second goal was from another cross from the right, which he put in giving the goalkeeper no chance. The final Thirsk goal was put in by Nathan, following a penetrating run from the back from John Atkinson.  York did manage a consolation goal, however it was thanks to a deflection from a Thirsk player. Final Score 7-1.

Thirsk Mens second team played away at Bradford on Saturday November 5th. From the start the Thirsk defence was put under a lot of pressure, James Laking in defence did well to thwart their attacks down the left, and Joe Dickinson was forced to make several telling saves, but after 10 minutes Thirsk were behind when a well struck shot flew into the goal. This spurred Thirsk into action, and the rest of the first half was more even. It wasn’t long before Thirsk equalized after Liam Evans had earned a penalty corner. Andrew Jackson was able to beat two players before slamming his shot into the corner. Thirsk grew in confidence, and good work down the right from Patrick Hunt, saw his cross partially cleared, only for Rafe Skippings to get a goal through his deflected shot.

Bradford came back strongly in the second half, and Thirsk were pegged in their half for much of the time. Jon Statham and John Atkinson cleared well, and Joe made more great saves to keep Bradford out. With 15 minutes to go Thirsk were clinging on to their 2-1 lead, and finally Bradford managed to equalize. Thirsk did have chances, forcing two penalty corners but did not convert them. In the final 10 minutes Bradford managed to score twice more, and complete a 4-2 win despite Thirsk’s best efforts.

The Men’s 2nd team achieved their first points of the season in an end to end game against Driffield with a thrilling 6-5 last minute victory. Thirsk went 2-0 behind before coming back to level by half-time. After the break Thirsk went on to deservedly lead 4-2 before Driffield drew level and eventually took the lead again with 10 minutes to play. With time running out and following strong midfield play by Ian Foxley and sound defensive work by Mike Rushmere and John Atkinson, two late goals gave Thirsk the win by the narrowest of margins; the goal scorers being Liam Evans, with a hat-trick, Rafe Skippings, Tom Moody and Peter Woodward.

Saturday 15th saw a much changed Thirsk team from last week, with Oliver Hill making his debut. Thirsk started brightly with Nathan Harding, and Chris Gabbut creating chances. But as the half went on Harrogate began to put sustained pressure on the Thirsk defence, and took the lead through lapses in concentration. But Thirsk fought back well with several well constructed passages of play. From one passing move on the left James Laking was able to fire in a cross, and Trevor Bosomworth read it well to squeeze it under their goalkeeper and bring the score to 1-1 at half time.

At the beginning of the second half Thirsk had a lot of pressure on their defensive circle, and despite the efforts of the defence and an ever youthful Mike Rushmere, were unable to prevent a second Harrogate goal. Thirsk felt badly done by with their third goal though, as the Harrogate first strike at the penalty corner was well over the back board, but was still awarded. Moments later Harrogate were awarded a penalty stroke following a indiscretion by Joe Dickinson in goal, but justice was done as the stroke could only find the post. Thirsk kept going well, and a drive by Chris set up Andrew Jackson to score well and bring it back to 3-2. Only minutes later Thirsk were unlucky not to be level when Trevor’s thunderous deflected shot smacked into the post. Thirsk battled to the end with other close chances, but could not find the net. Harrogate with the last play of the game scored from a penalty corner to make it 4-2.