September 5, 2022...Purple Reign: Nash Still Taking It One Game at a Time Despite Fifth Win in Eight Games
(from York United FC website)

PURPLE REIGN: NASH STILL TAKING IT ONE GAME AT A TIME DESPITE FIFTH WIN IN EIGHT GAMES   

The 3-1 victory over Pacific FC saw a magnificent second-half performance from The Nine Stripes.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

York United turned it around on Saturday afternoon to hand Pacific FC a 3-1 defeat on the road 
at Starlight Stadium.

Martin Nash’s side went into the break trailing 1-0 but produced a stirred up second half 
performance to turn the game on its head.

Talisman Mo Babouli cancelled out Pacific’s lead three minutes into the half after smashing 
in a Dominick Zator prosaic cross from the left flank.

On 57 minutes, Osaze De Rosario turned in a rebound to give The Nine Stripes the lead before 
substitute Sebastian Gutierrez curled in a beauty in the 81st minute.

The score line could have been huge if Chrisnovic N’Sa’s finish from close range had stood 
and Jordan Wilson awarded a penalty after being hacked down inside the box.

"There are a few things tactically. I thought we were too spread out, too open. We left too 
many passing lanes open and a team like this can really hurt you if that's the case," Nash said 
at his post-match conference.

"I thought we did some good things going forward but we weren't pleased with the effort at halftime 
so we had to have a go at them a little bit. If you don't bring the effort, you're gonna get 
into trouble so our guys responded. They brought the effort and I thought it was a tremendous 
effort [in the] second half. I thought we deserved the win in the end."

York United surrendered ball possession [48%] to their hosts but produced more total shots 
[19 compared to the 12 by Pacific] and had 10 of those shots on target; five more than 
the defending champions.

With five matches to clear, the Nine Stripes are ten points behind fourth place Valour FC, 
meaning there is a glimmer of hope of making the playoffs.

But The Gaffer is refusing to get carried away.

"I'm not looking past the next game. We got out of a tough three game away stand; [including 
Forge and Cavalry] and are here with six points,'' he added.

 "I think we've been playing well lately. We just gotta keep on a roll: look at the next game, 
 our next opponent. It's not going to be easy but at least we're going back home for three [matches] 
 and what this team and club really needs to do is find a way to make teams not want to come 
 to our pitch and play. Right now, I don't think that's the case. So we've got to take care 
 of business at home." 

It is the first league win for The Nine Stripes over the Tridents this term and what a way to avenge 
July’s 4-2 defeat at York Lions Stadium. The other two meetings ended in goalless draws making 
it an even head-to-head for the season.

Nash loved every bit of it.

 "I think they've been good battles. We've had some good performances against them and maybe it's 
 a good matchup for us. I thought they were the better team in the first half and obviously I think 
 we were the better side after that so I think today was a little bit of a tale of two halves," 
 said the boss.

 York United will return to action on Friday when they host basement boys FC Edmonton.

Ridwan Ibrahim Asante

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