August 21, 2022...Nash Full of Praise for his players After Fourth Win in Six Games (from York United FC website)

NASH FULL OF PRAISE FOR HIS PLAYERS AFTER FOURTH WIN IN SIX GAMES

It's been an encouraging upturn in recent weeks as attention turns to a trip to Calgary on Saturday.

It’s a 2-1 advantage for York United in this season's 905 Derby series after Saturday night's
crafty 3-1 win over Forge FC at Tim Hortons Field.

And recent signing Mo Babouli stole the show, scoring his first goal for the club amidst subdued
celebrations against his former employers and being chosen as Man of the Match by Canadian Premier
League broadcast partner OneSoccer.

In all, it was a typified performance which has oxygenated the playoffs push for the Nine Stripes.

Head Coach Martin Nash outlined how the team carved out another headline-grabbing win on the road,
following recent away successes against Cavalry and Halifax.

"I thought what we did best was stopping the game in pockets and in between our lines: in between
our midfield and back four," The Gaffer said in his post-match conference.

"We forced them to go wide and though they did have good spells of possession, we limited their
chances and I think that was key. We didn't allow them to really get into their possession, to really
get a rhythm and I think in some ways we controlled large parts of the game even when we didn't
have the ball because we were able to stop them finding those pockets."

York United had 40% possession and were outshot by Forge (10vs8) but six of them were on target while
the hosts had three.

Nash's side went into the break leading 1-0 courtesy of an opportunistic Osaze De Rosario finish
- his ninth league goal of the campaign - after just seven minutes, after Paris Gee whipped
in an inviting cross: his second assist in two games.

Nash’s team-talk at the interval was simple.

"It was a lot of positives and just reiterating that it was going to take a monumental effort
and work-rate in the second-half. That when we won the ball, find those moments when we keep it,
find moments of transition. That was one of my keys for our team tonight: when we won the ball
is it on to attack? If it is, great. If it's not, find the moments to keep the ball so you have
a bit of balance. So I thought the guys were excellent in those moments of the game and it was
big for our performance."

The boss also heaped praise on Babouli whose gorgeous strike in the 68th minute was the insurance
goal that opened a two-goal lead.

He completed the most dribbles in the match and boasted a pass accuracy of 85% [33 out of 39].

"He’s so good on the ball," Nash said.

"Good in possession, he has that vision. He can play short and long, he can play balls through.
He’s exactly what we needed, and he’s proven himself to be a fantastic signing for us after
two performances so he was big for us tonight."

Up next for York United is a trip to Spruce Meadows to face Cavalry FC on Saturday, where
The Nine Stripes will look to repeat the trick from last month and come away with another
statement victory.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

back to 2022 York United FC menu