Goals
23 - Nicky Mohan - A Lee Philpott free kick evaded everyone at the front post and the ball found it's way to Mohan, who seemed to scuff his shot slightly but managed to steer it in to the bottom corner.
61 - Lawrie Dudfield (Pen) - Darren Edmondson pulled back Theodore Whitmore when the striker was through on goal, and Dudfield sent Fettis the wrong way from the penalty spot.
73 - Gary Alexander - Dudfield ran to the byline and pulled the ball back across goal, it found Alexander and he turned well before unleashing a fierce drive in to the bottom corner.
90 - David Lee - Lee curled a superb free kick over the wall and beyond Alan Fettis from just outside the area.
Bookings
24 - Gary Alexander - Foul
Sendings Off
None
Match Report
City produced a superb performance, their best of the season so far, to hammer York 4-0 in this eagerly awaited Yorkshire derby. 9,737 turned up to see the great win and the ones who didn't will definitely be kicking themselves...!
There were changes from the side who beat Kidderminster, with Andy Holt returning from injury to replace Ian Goodison, Lee Philpott coming in for long-term casualty Mark Greaves, and Rodney Rowe replacing Theodore Whitmore. York included in-form Michael Proctor up front along with Lee Nogan.
The first real action of the game was a goal - Both sides started strongly, City especially, but no real chances were created until City took the lead through Nicky Mohan on 23 minutes. Lee Philpott swung in a free kick he won, and the ball evaded everyone at the front post before finding it's way to Mohan at the back post who half scuffed it in to the bottom corner. York fans have complained about the free kick being taken 10 yards out of position - 10 yards was an exaggeration but even still most free kicks are slightly out of place and I noticed nothing irregular about this one.
Gary Alexander was booked shortly after the goal for a foul, and the Tigers proceeded to turn the screw and start to domiate proceedings, but could not add a second. Depite being on the back foot, York nearly managed an equaliser, but Lee Bullock's shot was saved well by Matt Glennon.
Sadly for City, Rodney Rowe limped off after taking a bad challenge and had to be replaced by Theodore Whitmore as the half drew to a close. Lawrie Dudfield came close to doubling the Tigers' advantage with only seconds of the half remaining, but just could not connect with a Nicky Mohan header across goal.
Whitmore was at the centre of the action on the hour as the goal did come and City increased their lead. He raced through on goal, only to be held back by Darren Edmondson in the area, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Dudfield made no mistake, sending Fettis the wrong way with a well taken penalty. However, following the goal York sent on Neville Stamp and his introduction seemed to spark a revival in their play. First, Lee Nogan raced clear on goal, only to be superbly challenged by Justin Whittle, then Matt Glennon was forced to make two superb saves from headers in quick succession. The keeper tipped efforts from Lee Nogan and John Fielding over the bar to maintain the two goal advantage.
City showed another pleasing side to their game in this match, as Brian Little also picked up on after the game: Their danger on the counter attack when the opposition commit men forward. And it was from these means that the third goal came. The extremely impressive Holt released Dudfield on the right and he beat his man before delivering the ball across goal, where it reached Gary Alexander, who took it on his left foot and buried it in to the bottom corner. Following his goal, Alexander was replaced by Lee, and Ben Petty came on for the tireless Julian Johnsson.
Stamp hit a great long range shot which forced another great save out of Glennon, before Whitmore missed a golden chance to make it 4-0 for City. Ben Petty ran forward and unleashed a shot from outside the area which beat Fettis and cannonend off the post. Unfortunately, with the Minster Men keeper scrambling, Theo hoisted the rebound over the top from 14 yards. Moments later, David Lee was set up inside the area and also contrived to fire over, under pressure from a challenge.
He made up for his miss in the last minute of normal time though, with a superb free kick, curling the ball over the wall and beyond Fettis from just outside the area. I have a feeling he may be first choice for them in the future now!
So a brilliant win over our Yorkshire rivals, one which moves us up to fourth place in the table. Hopefully the team will continue to turn in performances like that through out the season, and possibly evven better!
Man Of The Match - Andy Holt
An excellent come-back. Showed us why we have missed him at Left Back with his ability supporting the attack and again displayed his defensive qualities. |
