2023/4
Season - Preview
When previewing the season, about the only thing that can be said with certainty is that it will not be a quiet season for City. Either on the pitch or off the pitch, something will not be right, somewhere or with someone. Last season, we entered the season with new hope, it proved to be unfounded, this season, again new hope (and new money).
Having retained the core of the 2021/2 squad that made a flying start last season, we became embroiled in a relegation dog fight. So anything could happen.
With Wrexham and Notts County promoted, Hartlepool and Rochdale relegated, City lose 2 of last season’s top 3 crowd pullers.
City also lose the 2 longest away trips of the season (Torquay and Yeovil) in a league and featuring 13 teams based in the south east (an area bounded by Southend, Oxford City and Eastleigh) plus Kidderminster and Solihull Moors representing the midlands. The league includes 12 former Football League clubs. Only Oxford City are first time opponents for City.
Early summer dragged on as rumours of a Glen Henderson sale persisted and new recruits were slow to arrive. In June, Mikey Morton noted that he was unclear on his budget and that the sale of Glen Henderson's shares was hampering progress, adding that by this stage, he would expect to be further forward in assembling his squad. David Stockdale (who noted that he’d had interest from 2 Division 1 clubs but Mikey Morton (who he already knew) sold him the vision) and Cedric Main being the only announced signings before pre-season training started. Neither was universally acclaimed, Stockdale’s impact on Ryan Whitley’s future and the career history of Main, mainly at a lower level than City being the main focus of ire. That said, season ticket sales remained robust, over 1,800 sold before the discount period ended, not too far short of the previous season’s total.
Then, on June 28, 2 days after pre-season training had started, it was announced that Glen Henderson had sold his shares to “394 Sports Ltd”, a company fronted by Matt Uggla (son of a billionaire) and his mother Julie-Anne Uggla. They joined City’s board as Co-Chair alongside Alastair Smith and Mike Brown. The Trust retained its 49% shareholding. Read More on the takeover.
Matt Uggla’s initial thoughts were that he was wanting to bring in his own manager, but speaking with Mikey Morton, he quickly noted "new school, data and stats based, on everything we talked about we were completely aligned". He told Morton that Zanda Siziba was the only Yeovil player worth signing.
Suddenly, City went from potentially planning a long term recruitment plan with a lower budget to a plan to make a quick impact. Matt and Julie-Anne wanted to make an impact, Mikey Morton wanted to make an impact, David Stockdale wanted to make an impact, it was just chaos. Within days of the takeover, there was a flurry of signings, some raised eyebrows as players were scouted from far and wide, often from divisions below City as the concept of a development squad was mooted, the first season was expected to play just friendly games. Eyebrows were further raised as 4 (Quevin Castro, Thierry Latty-Fairweather. Levi Andoh and Kevin Joshua) were all clients of Eyeconic Sports Management Ltd owned by Arfan Rehman. On July 7, City signed Tyler Cordner for an undisclosed fee, but believed to be £100,000, his release clause. Matt Uggla spoke of the difficulty of making signings as clubs and players raised their demands.
In an in house interview (July 5), Morton spoke about the 3 Cs, Condition, to be one of fittest teams in the league and has been using Premier League resources, Control, the ability to control all phases of the game and Confidence. He spoke about last season’s side not having his identity and a desire to be one of the most physical teams in the league. He noted various behind the scene aspects weren’t in place last season, specifically he has upped the focus on fitness. Paddy McLaughlin has done a lot of work with the players and last season’s squad were sent on their summer holidays with specific summer fitness enhancement programmes whilst David Stockdale’s recruitment role will help to identify new players before they are needed. He wants his squad players to push for first team places. Last season, squad players and the under 19 team had little chance to push for first team places. He is looking for good talent, good backgrounds, players who have still got something to develop and has a slightly bigger squad than imagined with more players still expected. He said nothing earth shattering, just plain common sense.
The signings continued throughout pre-season. 2 of the latter ones being marquee signings, Dipo Akinyemi who joined City after a season in Scotland with Ayr United where he had netted 20 goals and seven assists in the Scottish Championship. The 26-year-old won the PFA Scottish Championship player of the season award after playing regularly in England throughout his career. As revealed by Daily Record in January, Ayr had turned down a deal worth £240,000 from an unnamed Sky Bet League One side for Akinyemi. Sky Bet League Two outfits Gillingham and Walsall as well as Carlisle from a league higher were also rumoured to have been interested in the forward this summer, so his move to the Minstermen is expected to be for a hefty fee. Speculation put it at £300,000, no doubt with sell on clauses attached and believed to be all money paid upfront. It is to be hoped that such a fee is justified for a player who has rarely played at Conference level and only really found his scoring boots 2 seasons ago. I might have been happier spending that amount of money on a player dropping down a league or 2 like Wrexham did with Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer. That said, his video profile / scoring reel is impressive. There were rumours that his partner was unhappy to be in Ayr so far away from her family in London, let's hope she is fine with York. Some social media reports put his wage at up to £4,500 a week, nearly twice what was believed to be City's best ever paid player. If the transfer fee is correct, it more than doubles the previous record fee paid for a player by City (£140,000). A few days later, City's long pursuit of the free scoring Andrew Dallas, a free agent after his Solihull Moors deal had expired, ended when he joined Division 1 Barnsley on a 3 year deal. A couple of days later, Alex Woodyard, who'd been a Division 1 regular for AFC Wimbledon last season, joined City when his Dons contract was ripped up with a year to go. He arrived with an impressive stats as a defensive midfield player although some questioned his fitness throughout last season (a six month spell out meant his first game of last season was in October 2022, however he went on to play 34 league games) and others compared his attitude to that of Sean Newton.
Akinyemi and Woodyard didn't make their first City appearances until the second half of City's last official pre-season friendly at Accrington. Akinyemi's arrival was accompanied by a delay to his international clearance which meant he had been unable to play in 4 friendly games after he joined City.
A day before the Accrington game, Yeovil chairman Martin Hellier re-ignited, in a most unsavoury way, a feud with Matt Uggla, some of the tweets attributed to Hellier seemed worthy of investigation by football's authorities.
Read More and
More.
On the same day, David Bujara announced himself as City's new Chief Scout.
If Chesterfield overcome play off defeat disappointment, they can be expected to be challenging again (especially as if as a Trust owned club, they can afford to pay Danny Rowe a reported £2,500 a week, a figure way beyond City's financial capability last season). We can expect the likes of Bromley, Woking and Boreham Wood to punch above their weight whilst the well supported Oldham and FC Halifax will look to push on from their FA Trophy success. Equally, Gateshead will hope to push on from a strong second half of last season.
Given the turmoil of relegation, both Hartlepool (even with John Askey) and Rochdale are more likely to be nearer the bottom than the top. As in recent years, most of the promoted sides might struggle, (expect AFC Fylde to be the best placed). Having released a number of players, it might be a hard season for Solihull Moors. Maidenhead and Dorking with limited resources might both face another season of struggle. I wonder how much longer Wealdstone can continue to perform above their weight whilst Southend will face another season of struggles, off field issues hampering on field results.
Once again, season ticket details were slow to emerge, they went on sale on May 26 when season tickets holders had a 2 week period in which to renew at last season’s price. On general sale, prices rose by 10%. There were the usual problems with the online ticketing system. City announced over 1,000 were sold within the first week (June 2) by June 8 (with one day of the discount window remaining) over 1,500 had been sold. Subsequently Glen Henderson stated “over 1,800” sold and when Matt Uggla‘s takeover was confirmed, it was stated that City were on target to beat last (2022/3) season’s tickets of 2,219. The 2023/4 total eventually topped out at 2,326. City announced 1,860 sold on July 2. By July 20, that number had grown to "over 2,000". Elsewhere, on June 2, Notts County announced "season ticket sales have already equalled our 2022-23 total of 4,000” and at a similar date, Oldham had sold over 3,000. City’s sales were about 3 times as many as Harrogate. City introduced differential match day ticket pricing, a £2 increase on last season if bought at the turnstiles or £1 if bought in advance.
2 of the more heralded signings arrived carrying / managing injuries. Quevin Castro arrived with a doctors' note from WBA advising City how best to manage his back injury with which he'd struggled with when on loan at Gateshead and Callum Harriott had a painful foot injury which restricted him to just the Middlesbrough pre-season friendly.
By the last friendly, City had 33 registered professional players. Talk of a development squad was rife although given the lateness of Matt Uggla' arrival and City's new direction, it is envisaged that for 2023/4 season that the development squad would be restricted to friendly games and players being found loan moves.
Roll on City's "promotion train", a phrase coined by Matt Uggla shortly after our big money purchases although David Stockdale was just one of those who tried to rein back the sentiment.
From various ad hoc polls amongst City fans, around 8% of us thought City would be champions, around 55% more had us in the play off places and very, very few had us in the bottom half.
The Squad
Once again, details of the 2023/4 squad were slow to emerge and only picked up momentum when Matt Uggla's takeover was announced. Speaking on York Hospital Ball in June 2024, Matt Uggla noted, ”(his late arrival meant that City) missed the boat on a number of free agents”. By the time pre-season training, City had an almost complete squad. Some eyebrows were raised by the addition of 4 players (Castro, Latty-Fairweather, Andoh and Joshua) from
Arfan Rehman's Eyeconic Sports Management Ltd. With the late signings of Dipo Akinyemi and Alex Woodyard, City had 33 professionals. By the end of July, given the quantity and quality of signings, it seemed like a “top” budget (City claimed it was the 8th or 9th top) with Akinyemi arriving despite strong interest from an unnamed Division 1 side and newly minted Division 2 Gillingham whilst Woodyard ripped up a Division 2 contract to join City. By the big kick off, City had 13 new signings (excluding the 2 scholars who earned professional contracts).
David Stockdale will possibly start in goal whilst many felt Ryan Whitley had finished last season strongly. Tyler Cordner and Callum Howe look to be a strong centre back partnership. Michael Duckworth and Ryan Fallowfield provide stability down the right, neither seemed to stay fit for long enough last season to make the right (wing) back shirt their own.
Alex Woodyard should assume the defensive midfield role leaving the likes of Olly Dyson, Quevin Castro and Dan Pybus to fight for other central midfield berths. Out wide, we could be spoilt for choice with Maz Kouhyar, Alex Hurst and Callum Harriott as leading contenders, maybe with one being deployed in a more central role.
Dipo Akinyemi will lead the line with Lenell John-Lewis around to provide support when needed.
The likes of youngsters Finlay Barnes, Levi Andoh, Thierry Latty-Fairweather and Zanda Siziba possibly did enough in pre–season to suggest they will be around the first team.
Last season, Mikey Morton was keen to swap formation, he said to match up with the opposition. Pre-season, he had invariably used 433. It remained to be seen whether this is to be the regular formation. Given the size of the squad, it is to be hoped that we don’t need to slot players into unfamiliar positions and that a large squad doesn’t mean a much changed line up every game.
Given City’s large playing pool it will be interesting to see how the “development squad” progresses. Believed to have been assembled too late to play league football in the 2023/4 season, they will be restricted to friendly games and sending players out on loan. It is to be hoped that the friendly games give those players a real opportunity (and motivation) of pushing for a place in the first team squad.
Equally, our outgoing loanees need to be playing regularly for clubs at, or just beneath, City’s level to give then the necessary level of experience to come back to stake a claim for a place in City’s first team. The first to move out on loan was Sam Sanders who joined Truro on a 6 month loan deal in July to play National League South football having had his City contract extended just before he moved out. That will mean he has 3 years as a City contracted player to become a first team regular.
City went into the season with 33 professionals. a far cry from Mikey Morton's early indication that he wanted to work with a small squad. A large squad (and Mikey Morton's penchant for changing formation) led to a constant change in line up and formation leading to a difficulty in gelling the side and getting results over the first 6 games.
The start of the season didn't mean an to the signings, 4 new players (Dan Batty, another marquee signing, the highly Scottish youngster Kai Kennedy, Rory Watson and Jack Stott (loan)) joined City in the 48 hours before the August bank holiday weekend. Neal Ardley's arrival saw the introduction of 2 further loanees.
When Neal Ardley arrived, he noted the lop sided nature of the squad, especially at left back and striker. His first signing was Aiden Marsh, a young striker at Barnsley and 3 days later, after Tyler Cordner picked up a one game suspension for 5 yellow cards, he signed Will Smith on loan from Harrogate with Sanders and Joseph out on loan and other possible options (Duckworth and Andoh) injured. Meanwhile, Neil Cox mentioned that the large squad might have contributed to low early season fitness levels
By the time of the visit to Chesterfield (October 24), City had 38 registered professionals (including 3 loanees and 9 young pros who'd not make a start between them). However, with 8 players out on loan and a further 9 injured, City went into the game with just 21 fit professionals. By the end of that week, 2 more had arrived (making 40 players, 36 contracted and 4 more loanees, the season's peak squad size). Throughout the season, 41 different players were used, Marvin Armstrong being the most recent debutant. Another 10 professionals saw no first team action. Incidentally, across the season, City averaged over 6 players per game unavailable due to injury, personal reasons and suspension.
Season - Review
At the start of the 2023/4 season, expectations were high. New ownership was in place and the summer had seen a healthy transfer budget with City's transfer record being broken. Dreams were quickly shattered and like every year since 2020, City's fate wasn't confirmed until the last day of the season. For a second successive season, City employed 3 different managers.
Along the way, there was evidence that the side was capable of a much higher finish whilst City went out of both cup competitions in a disappointing fashion (toothless upfront (injuries / cup tied players) against Wigan and at Nantwich a largely second string side couldn't cope with tier 8 opposition or the wind.
Great expectations lasted for about the first hour of the season. A slick start at Wealdstone saw City lead, but they were unable to put the game to bed. As City ran out of steam, Wealdstone hit back to score twice to win 2-1. Mikey Morton was sacked after 6 games (3 draws and 3 defeats) following a 3-1 Bank Holiday home defeat to Rochdale. Those 6 games saw 3 red cards (Howe, John-Lewis and Crookes). There were plenty of anecdotal reports of a poor attitude to training and lax discipline within the club.
There was soon discontent in the camp. On August 22, Dan Pybus left to join Dorking on a 3 year contract (with no fee assumed). It had been rumoured that he was unhappy and wouldn't play again after Askey had been sacked, so it had been rather surprising that he signed a new 2 and a half year contract in January 2023. Matters appeared to come to a head before the Altrincham game (August 15). He and Alex Hurst were not in the 16 man squad, both were believed to have refused to play. With Woodyard sustaining a calf strain in the pre match warm up, City could name only 4 substitutes from the provisional 18 man squad. The YCFC web site reported it as "York City FC can confirm that Dan Pybus has left the club. Subject to league and FA approval". Later, Mikey Morton noted "The discussion we had on the night of that game was when his head wasn’t in the right place, that’s fine and we made the decision not to play him". A month later, Alex Hurst left the club.
Next manager betting was not dissimilar to Charlton who were looking to replace Dean Holden with the likes of Michael Appleton, Danny Cowley and Darren Moore being high up in both markets. Neal Ardley, Phil Parkinson (Altrincham) and Mike Williamson were also leading City candidates according to the betting market. Darrell Clarke was cut from 33-1 to 4-1 on morning of September 4 and 2-1 by early that afternoon before drifting out to 5-1 later in the day. That day, both Karl Robinson (not listed at 50-1 or shorter) and Sol Campbell (who suddenly appeared at 12-1 having been mentioned on several social media posts during the day) were rumoured to be in contention. The lower reaches of the betting market included a lot of names who'd been quoted in recent City managerial vacancies. Betting was suspended on several occasions, including Tuesday 5th (PM) September as Ardley tightened to 1-4.
Neal Ardley was named as manager on Wednesday September 6, he had 2 days with his players before his first game. The first half of that game pointed to a more structured and disciplined approach but familiar frailties crept in as the game wore on. City twice lead but had to settle for a 2-2 home draw with Boreham Wood.
His first few weeks saw a horrendous injury list amid several comments that his players needed to be fitter. He noted the lop sided nature of his large squad, the lack of a left back and cover across central defence, attacking midfield and upfront and the need to strengthen the squad but that he wouldn’t expect to see his team to be playing his way this season having missed out on pre-season with them. Defensive problems persisted and he wasn’t afraid to point out the team’s shortcomings in his interviews. The players were not Ardley’s players. At times, it seemed they were either unable or unwilling to play how he wanted them to do. That said, so many players that seemed so encouraging in pre-season seemed to turn out so poor. Over the following weeks, previous failings persisted.
As with many new City managers, there was a very limited new manager bounce. Contrast that to Unai Emery, he took over a struggling Aston Villa in late October 2022, without the benefit of being able to sign players immediately, he quickly changed Villa, so much from being strong relegation candidates when he arrived, he oversaw qualification for Europe, his record being that of a top 4 club. In mitigation, the injury crisis that had blighted the start of City's season continued.
As the injury crisis gradually abated, the team started to took on a more settled look, although injuries to key players (and a desire to match the opposition) meant switching between a back 4 and a back 5 whilst Dan Batty’s midfield presence was missed (3 month knee injury). Dipo Akinyemi missed 3 games in late October and never quite seemed to regain his early season potency before he went down with a hamstring injury at the end of November. Strenuous efforts to add to the squad were largely thwarted as on more than one occasion Ardley noted the difficulty of making signings. At the 6th attempt, Ardley finally signed a left back, Luke Daley, on loan from Huddersfield. Lenell John-Lewis wasn’t at his best when asked to play 3 games a week. Ardley’s desire to name 4 strikers in his match day squad was still was desire.
The injury crisis peaked at the time of the Dagenham game when City had a reported 10 players injured / ill, with another 7 out on loan, City were down to 21 fit professionals, including 4 young pros with no first team game time behind them. It should be noted that other players may have had unreported injures and were therefore also unavailable.
One bright spot was the form of Scott Burgess, 2023’s forgotten men. Recalled to the bench at Dagenham in early October, his introduction helped a lack lustre City side come from behind to record a last gasp winner. His form continued with a good number of assists when deployed in a wide right attacking role.
At the half way point of the season, City were in 20th position in the table, precariously one place and one point above the relegation zone, just below a congested mid table with an improving points per game tally, a matric that Ardley has often quoted.
Ardley's arrival saw the club's infrastructure improved including a raft of training ground improvements and additional backroom staff recruited. His first 2 permanent signings (GSK and Will Davies) gave promise for the future. However, some of his press conferences raised comments, especially his regular upbeat assessments of upcoming opponents and criticism of his own players whilst some suggested that his downplaying of the FA Trophy, allied with his much changed line up and appearance at the back of the dugout, set the tone for tie.
Ardley often referenced a big January transfer window allied with 3 "new" signings in Cedric Main, Finlay Barnes and Sam Sanders as they returned from regional National League loan spells. Regular football seemed to fire up Main, a decent return in terms of goals and performance, his presence and endeavour should have made him a favourite with Ardley and alongside Lenell John-Lewis, City had the 4 strikers that Ardley craved. Finlay Barnes built on good month at Darlington with an impressive 3 months at Scarborough whilst left sided defender Sam Sanders had regular football in a less pressurised environment, but it remained to be seen whether the flaws in his game that restricted his game time with City had been ironed out at Truro. As it was, Sanders stayed on loan (presumably not ready for National League) and whilst the other 2 were recalled with the intention of adding to the first team squad, neither got a real opportunity.
On several occasions, Ardley referenced his desire for more signings, possibly tempered by outgoings, as he seeks to build his own manageable sized squad. Centre back, left back, attacking midfield and striker (after Main left and given John-Lewis seemingly coming towards the latter days of his career) appeared to be the more immediate areas for strengthening.
Ardley's biggest challenge was moving on players he saw as surplus to his ideal sized squad. Cox had revealed (October 26) Hancox turned down a loan move 2 weeks earlier whilst Ardley noted (December 8) that Kevin Joshua had turned down 2 loans since he returned from Macclesfield noting that he needs to be playing games. On December 14, he added that Castro, Siziba, Barrow, Joshua and others are all made available for loan and some of them have turned down loans because "they are too good for that level". 4 young players had their contracts cancelled during December and January.
The expected big January transfer window came and went. Ardley spoke about wanting 3 signings. Billy Chadwick arrived, 2 impressive loanees, Olly Green and Luke Daley did not have their loans extended when both fell ill and midfield transfer targets fell amid rumours of the transfer budget being slashed. In April, Peterborough's Kabongo Tshimanga, who joined Boreham Wood on loan in January, was noted as being another target. In late January, strong rumours of further interest in Andrew Dallas, he left Solihull Moors (Ardley’s previous club) for Barnsley in the summer also came to nothing. Speaking on York Hospital Ball in June 2024, Matt Uggla noted, ”in January 2024, one deal fell through,(which) would have been really big”
The one essential in the second half of the season was safety. The initial signs were promising and one only had to look back to January 2021 and a 3-0 home defeat to Bradford PA to remember what can happen in 4 months. An FA Trophy run would have been nice.
After Christmas, with results starting to drop off, Neal Ardley was surprisingly sacked on February 26 with Adam Hinshelwood appointed manager a day later.
Worthing announce Hinshelwood's departure and
City announce Hinshelwood's appointment. Speaking on York Hospital Ball in June 2024, Matt Uggla noted ”Neal Ardley didn't fit what the club wanted to do and he felt the end would come at the end of the season but after Barnet, he didn’t think we'd stay in the division. He was attracted to Adam Hinshelwood as Worthing had over achieved and played an attacking brand of football“ .
Under Ardley, City had become more organised and had a gradually improving points per game. However, it was often a laboured performance that was difficult to watch. City had become much more defence first in style with his sides set up to combat the opposition, often making changes to formation and personnel. Ardley seemed to stifle City’s players. The confidence drained from the players. He seemed to make game more difficult than it needed to be, by the time he left, City couldn't see the wood for the trees.
Midfield was ponderous and Dipo Akinyemi never quite recaptured his early season form. His partnership with Will Davies never really developed after a bright start.
Ardley tended to “big up” the opposition and frequently referenced that City didn’t have the players who could play in his style, noting that we’d see a better Billy Chadwick next season when the team was playing his way and criticising Dipo Akinyemi’s work rate on several occasions.
When Ardley was sacked, City were outside the relegation places on goal difference, but with subsequent results, Adam Hinshelwood started his first game with City inside the drop zone. Ardley had specific requirements, almost seeking the perfect player, Luke Daley eventually joined on loan after attempts to sign five other left backs had fallen through. It is conjecture to speculate the impact on Ardley of the death of his mother in January and to a much lesser extent, his disappointment with City’s January transfer window.
Matt Uggla noted the falling PPG and style of play were factors in the club’s dismissal of Ardley. In the aftermath of the dismissal, he said that some players had spoken to him privately expressing concerns over lack of game time whilst he noted that City were "getting worse" and that City were moving away from the club identity he envisaged. Given Ardley had inherited a bloated and lop sided squad, he could never be expected to change style so quickly. Players talking to the owner is nothing new, after all we are a small club and Matt Uggla has shown himself to be a hands on chairman with a big social media presence. With over 30 players, you will always find some players out of favour and lacking in game time, it is up to management to manage the situation. When Ardley departed, City were in 20th place, with results elsewhere found ourselves a place lower and in the relegation zone when Hinshelwood's regime kicked off.
Going for a more attacking style, Hinshelwood’s first 2 games, both home, saw City’s defensive frailties return, the defence was often wide open. A more defensive approach earned a dire 0-0 draw at Kidderminster before reverting to the attacking style and a 6-1 thrashing in the next game at Altrincham. Few, if any, predicted the turnaround that was to follow. 3 successive wins over top 5 sides, Aldershot, Bromley and champions Chesterfield as City climbed out of the bottom 4.
Under neither Ardley nor Hinshelwood did City see an immediate “new manager bounce” that was evident at Hartlepool and Kidderminster just before Ardley was sacked. Hinshelwood signed Marvin Armstrong, immediately, City's midfield was more progressive and far more energetic. Armstrong sought to push forward at every opportunity and Alex Hunt was a revelation compared to his 45 minute debut at Barnet. The much more cautious approach of Paddy McLaughlin and Alex Woodyard was not missed. As Hinshelwood better understood his players, he revitalised Akinyemi by shifting him back to a more central striking role, allowing him to run in behind defenders, and got the best out of Maz Kouhyar and Alex Hunt (many thought we’d never see him again in a City after he was subbed after half time on his debut). Quevin Castro also earned a recall as Hinshelwood sought to up the tempo of his team prior to the signing of Armstrong. Whilst Armstrong was a key signing, all the players were playing with newly found positivity. The side had a much more settled side meaning unfocused squad players were not regularly being dropped into the side. Under Hinshelwood, basics like passing and movement which had deserted City under Ardley returned. With such basics, quicker progression up the pitch included, City were more on the front foot, spending more time attacking, meaning the midfield didn’t get overrun and there was less pressure on the back line. Hinshelwood would praise his players' performances, something rarely heard under Ardley, the players seemed much more settled and were playing with a smile on their faces.
Keen to give fringe players a chance, he was also not afraid to play first team players in different positions. With injuries mounting, he noted Dan Batty naturally drifts to the right when playing central midfield, thus the thought of him playing right back, much to the players initial reluctance, proved to be a success and that Ryan Fallowfield defends quite narrow when at right back, hence the move to centre back.
Come the final day of the season, with Kidderminster, Dorking and Oxford City already relegated, City were one of 5 teams looking to avoid the final relegation spot. All had their fate in their own hands. City were safe if Boreham Wood (51 points) failed to win, but otherwise, Woking (52 points) and 3 clubs (City, Wealdstone and Ebbsfleet (away at Boreham Wood)) needed a result (and results elsewhere to go for them) to be safe, in City's case, probably even a 3 goal defeat would mean safety. Given the closeness of goal difference, it was even possible for 3 clubs to end the day with 53 points and a 59-75 goal difference assuming Boreham Wood won 1-0 and Woking didn't lose.
Despite going down to a late goal and a 1-0 defeat at Solihull Moors, results elsewhere ensured City's safety, finishing 20th on 53 points, one point above relegated Boreham Wood. 53 points being the highest points tally needed since 2013 to avoid relegation. At the top, Chesterfield were runaway champions and third placed Bromley were promoted via the play offs despite having only the 16th or 17th best budget in the league.
In a post season message, Matt and Julie Anne Uggla wrote.
City fans,
Wow, that was a ride!
With the Minstermen home and dry in the National League, we wanted to take a moment to thank you for your unwavering support throughout this season.
We’ve been through highs and lows over the last seven months, but win, lose or draw, we’ve all stuck together for the good of York and its 200,000 proud natives. Next season we are striving for bigger and better things, and with Adam, Gary, and Cam at the helm, we know that the sky’s the limit when it comes to what our club can achieve.
You got us over that finishing line, with your magnificent following both home and away, and we cannot thank you enough for the support you have shown us and the team so far, and after seeing the potential of what we can be through those games against Woking and Chesterfield, we want that to be the norm at York City Football Club.
You’ve stuck by us in this transitionary season, one of the toughest periods in the history of the club and for that we are so grateful. Together, we can continue to take one of Britain’s most iconic cities on a fairytale football journey through the leagues and climb the footballing pyramid with pride.
Have a great summer, and we will see you next season.
Kindest regards,
Matt and Julie Anne Uggla
For the record:
At times, it was a hard watch during the season, especially as one very reliable source noted that the 2023/4 season saw the wage bill almost triple. Inevitably when some players earn 6 or 7 times more than their teammates, figures of £4,000 and £3,500 per week were mentioned, it is going to cause problems in the dressing room, especially in such a large dressing room where some players got very limited game time. City need to get some players shifted, reduce the wage bill dramatically and establish a core squad of players working for each other and the fans. It is to be hoped that this summer, City’s recruitment this summer is much more focused than last summer. We need more fitness, energy and dynamic play on match days. Players need to take responsibility, both as individuals and a team.
Within a month of his appointment, Hinshelwood had travelled to Blyth to watch an academy game and on a Saturday morning, he'd been watching City's U15 and U13 sides in action. Before the end of March, he noted 4 academy players (Alex Payne, Harley Dawson and Leon Gibson-Booth plus Bill Marshall) as being "signed" to complete the first team squad and 2 of those travelled to Solihull Moors on the final day of the season. If he is able to establish a vibrant and progressive pathway from academy to first team, that would be something no City manager has done in the past 20 years.
Compared to similar clubs, it is hard not to say that players have been spoiled rotten by the club for years. Many have accommodation / utility bills paid, luxury coaches, free food, overnight stays (Boreham Wood do one overnight per season, City do around 15) and a have load of other development resources available to them. The reality is that City are a National League club and it is not meant to be so easy.
Early February, Mike Brown posted on social media that the Ugglas are looking for external investment whilst later in month, Rochdale and Torquay chairman stop funding their clubs whilst. The "Price Of Football" podcast had previously noted an average NL club loses £700,000 pa but with checks in place (dating back to around 2021) noted no "true NL" club (i.e. excluding FL relegated and upwardly mobile clubs) had gone into insolvency since those checks were instigated. Meanwhile, Maidstone (NLS) co-owner, Oliver Ash noted their run to FAC4 (Ipswich (A)) would net them £500,000 (including TV and prize money) for a club with a £1.5m turnover, victory at Ipswich and a Round 5 tie at Coventry will have further boosted their bank balance.
In their first year, the Ugglas will have learnt many valuable lesson the hard way. It is a shame they didn't heed some early warnings, but in the long run it is probably for the best. Throwing good money after bad is not going to solve anything and is not sustainable. A deep culture change is needed.
In November 2023, the Ugglas increased their shareholding to 75% (from 51%) and Mike Brown noted in February 2024 that they were seeking external investment (to defray costs). At times, the YCST influence seemed marginalised, notably their input into the managerial changes and decision to allocate Chesterfield the whole of West Stand.
Across the season, Matt Uggla seemed very close to certain people. Initially won over by Micky Morton and David Stockdale, he was sitting with Tyler Cordner at Barnet, Ardley's last game and in the aftermath of his sacking some players spoke to Uggla expressing their desire for more game time. On the evening of the Woking win, Uggla was pictured out in the city centre with Hinshelwood. It is a fine line between being good friends and maintaining chair / staff distance and ideally advice should be coming from independent sources. However, he has shown he is willing to take decisive action and hopefully will further grow into the chairman's role. The dynamics of David Stockdale being close to Matt Uggla, almost a confidante, but on the training pitch (when fit) wasn't one that is seen too ofen in football.
On the pitch, opinion is divided as to how far the team that finished the season can take City forward. Given a 20th position finish and 2 loanees as regular starters, strengthening is required. In the immediate aftermath of the game, Hinshelwood spoke about the need for fast wingers. Given the squad size, the new signings need to be first team starters whilst the 2023/4 squad needs a good trimming in size, possibly easier said than done as many will be contracted for the next one (or 2) seasons. It could be said that City have 2 (even 3) decent number 2 keepers and that all areas of the side need to be bolstered.
It is to be hoped that Dipo Akinyemi and Will Davies can develop into a big strike partnership. Both have the ability to play at a higher level, it is to be hoped that in a settled (and more successful) side, their skills shine through and give City a strike force to be feared. At the other end of the pitch, the much heralded signings of Tyler Cordner and Callum Howe failed to show the type of form that saw them amongst the best performing central defenders in the National League during the 2022/3 season. Howe was generally settled whilst we never saw the best of Tyler Cordner. Cordner and Alex Woodyard were 2 big signings whose City future is in doubt. For all the impressive performances of Woodward, the arrival of Armstrong suddenly saw a revitalised midfield.
Generally speaking, the final table didn’t look too far away from what many expected. The big / traditional clubs towards the top and the less well funded clubs towards the bottom. Given Danny Rowe (remember him) had been on a reported £2,500 a week, it was not surprising to see Chesterfield top the table. The relegated 4 included Kidderminster and Oxford City, both in their first season in the league along with Dorking and Boreham Wood, presumably both with small budgets. Boreham Wood, after punching above their financial status for several seasons finally succumbed, a similar club, Woking, survived only on the final day. As often, the relegated clubs, Rochdale and Hartlepool, struggled with the transition from the Football League. An honourable mention to Southend, with their financial woes, some doubted whether they’d start the season. Often playing with just 2 substitutes before Christmas, a financial agreement in principle saw a strong end to the season. It is to be hoped that all the clubs with financial issues survive to fight another day. As usual, City defied logic.
City’s 2004 relegation from the Football League heralded an 8 year non league wilderness, 2024/5 will see our second spell enter its ninth season.
Read Ryan Deeney's review of the 2023/4 Vanarama season.
Sadly, as ever, during the season, City lost some ex players,
Andy Clements (19/Dec/2023) and Viv Busby (dd/May/2024), former club Secretaries Tom Hughes (18/Sep/2023) and Keith Lamb (04/01/2024), former leading light in local football and manager to many players post their City professional career Jim Collis (xx/Jan/2024)and supporters
Ciaron Forrest, Dan Lydiate (19/Jun/2023), Harry Lydiate (29/Jul/2023), Dave "Dickie" Barton (18/Sep/2023), Bruce McIntosh (dd/Nov/2023, aged 97), Dave Kendall (23/Dec/2023, bank manager and compere), Dave Windross (dd/Dec/2023, author and supporter), Malcolm Ferguson (26/Dec/2023), Chris Thomson (dd/Jan/2024), Glen Stoddart (dd/Jan/2024), Keith Simpson (24/Jan/2024), Colin Milner (dd/Mar/2024), Mike (dd/Apr/2024) and Malcolm (Claude) Fox (22/Jun/2024) included.
Along the way:
... and finally, after the great escape:
Training, Fitness and Conditioning
The season started with big questions over the fitness of the City squad.
City started with 33 contracted professionals, 22 had been announced by the time that pre-season training started on June 26, meaning that 11 were announced after that date. Whilst some definitely signed for City after that date, it is unclear whether others had joined City by the start of pre-season training with their signings being drip fed in the build up to the new season.
Mikey Morton had given last season’s returnees, numbering 20, a 4 week pre pre-season training schedule as he sought to play a high energy game with a team with “Premier League” levels of fitness. Quite, frankly, I’ve never understood (pampering and dedication aside) why any full time professional can’t be as fit as a Premier League footballer.
Meanwhile, it must be reasonable to assume that the later signings were either training with their previous clubs or, if free agents, keeping fit in readiness for a new club and contract. They should have arrived at City and hit the ground running.
After 6 weeks of pre-season training, Michael Duckworth said that he was “shattered” by 65 minutes of the opening game at Wealdstone, the game was played on a cool day with City largely on top for most of that time.
Indeed, the early games saw City struggle to match their opposition for fitness.
Game 3 (Altrincham, home) saw Alex Woodyard pull up in the warm up with a calf strain before what was intended to be his second City start.
Game 4 saw City play at Aldershot, home fans thought Tyler Cordner looked unfit and over weight. In his post match interview, Mikey Morton indicated that the squad would be split into 2 for Monday’s training session, possibly with one group working on fitness and another on technique or split by those who'd played on Saturday and the rest.
After the Altrincham game, Mikey Morton had given an insight into his squad selection and deployment. He’d named an 18 man squad, but for various reasons, he could only name 4 substitutes, meaning that 3 players dropped out. Woodyard was injured whilst it is understood that Pybus and Hurst were the other 2, here is not the time or place to speculate why they didn’t appear but both had left the club within one month. The point is that Morton said that other players had done a specific set of conditioning work and so is wasn’t appropriate to put them into match action after their day’s training.
Given the modern ways of a quiet day before and after a game, with 8 pre-season games, of the 30 week days of pre-season training, then on only 16 days were the full squad available to be put through their places.
In former days, pre-season consisted of weeks of cross country runs and fitness work ending with an open practice match on the Saturday before the season starts. Nowadays it is a procession of friendly games as City look to swell their coffers with prestige friendlies against higher league opposition and return the favour with a trek around a number league Yorkshire amateur sides. Which is better?
Speaking on October 2, a day before the Dagenham trip, Neal Ardley noted a lot of niggles have arisen from the run of Saturday / Tuesday games due to pre-season conditioning not being there, he noted Alex Woodyard as a case in point. All in all, more questions than answers about pre and early season fitness levels.
Both Morton and Ardley spoke about the importance of a balanced training schedule, possibly more so than any previous City manager, including the need for a balance between hard days and recovery days and therefore depending on games, splitting the squad into different training schedules on the same day.
Ardley also spoke about the importance of bringing players back into the team after injury, noting how Callum Harriott had gradually been brought back after his hamstring injury in December, building up in training and then gradually increasing his game time before a tired Harriott suffered another hamstring injury towards the end of the game at Rochdale when tiring. He also spoke about the next game and how to integrate Dipo Akinyemi back into the side, suggesting that he'd be used from the bench, but highlighting the risk of re-introducing a player returning from injury from the bench when he might come on not properly warmed up.
On his arrival, Ardley felt that standards needed to be uplifted across many areas of the club. He had harsh words for the standards of the training ground facilities. Early actions including getting rid of the table tennis table at the training ground and to put back the start of training to 11:00 to allow a full hour of warm up. On October 12, he noted on Callum Harriott's latest tight hamstring, "club and culture and (due to) things we haven't been doing in training, the bodies couldn't handle it". A week later, Neil Cox indicated that he felt that a too large a squad may have contributed to a lack of fitness. New training equipment for gym started to arrive in mid December. On the personnel side, a new Chief Scout (David Bujara) was an early arrival and was followed Paul Harmston (Head Of Sports Science) and Matthew Lever (Head of Scouting Organisation) in early November.
Season - Game By Game
2023/4 Lineups (last updated 21/Apr/2024).
Watch all season's highlights.
Awards and cards
2023/4 - The Players Away On Loan
YCFC Loan Watch (20/March/2024) Read More.
Retained List City’s retained list was announced 2 days after the season finished and was much as expected. It named 22 players as already being under contract for next season and another, Ryan Fallowfield, as already having signed a contract extension. Sam Sanders wasn’t named in the original announcement but was added shortly afterwards.
3 players (Lenell John-Lewis, Paddy McLaughlin and Rory Watson) were offered new contracts. In total, potentially, 27 players contracted for next season. It is unknown whether all figure in Hinshelwood’s plans and it is highly possible that some will not be here next season. Later, City's decision not to run a development / reserve side will have determined some fates. Just 3 players (Scott Burgess, Scott Barrow and Michael Duckworth) were released.
The futures of 2 young academy professionals (Sam Taylor and George Harrison) was determined after their season finished in May. Taylor earned another one year contract whilst Harrison was released.
Later in the day, it was announced that David Stockdale had left the club.
With so many players already contracted for the 2024/5 season, Hinshelwood has already indicated that he will be looking to move some players on before the start of the new season, whether by means of transfers / long term loan deals or agreeing mutual contract termination is unclear. Whatever the route, given the belief that City players are generally well paid, it is likely to be an expensive summer.
Agents' Fees
February (and the closure of the transfer window) has traditionally seen clubs' spending on agents' fees over the past 12 months published. In 2024, they were published in April. See The FA website for full details, including total spend by every club and players involved (although not fees by individual player).
Published later than usual, the FA's annual report on agents' fees showed that City spent £128,902 (£27,937 a year earlier), the most of any non league club. In total, non league clubs (33) spent £751,701 on agent’s fees.
City’s spend was by far the biggest in non league, it was only exceeded by 6 Division 2 sides and it was bigger than 8 Division 1 sides.
The report covers the 12 months to the end of the January 2024 transfer window.
City’s fees covered 20 players, including 2 from the 2022/3 season (Ellis and Rowe) and 2 contract renewals / extensions (Dyson and Sanders).
In full, the players were Ellis, Rowe, Main, Joshua, TLF, Siziba, Castro, Andoh, Cordner, Howe, Akinyemi, Dyson, Harriott, Woodyard, Sanders, Kennedy, Batty, GSK, Davies and Chadwick. Of the 20 transactions:
About City’s only signings that didn’t attract any agent fees were Stockdale, Watson, Barnes and Ardley’s plethora of loan signings.
YCFC Development Squad
The flagship reserve / development league is the Premier League Under 21 / 23 setup. It has recently changed from an Under 23 league to Under 21 and features around 40 of England’s top sides split by EPPP category 1 and 2 designation.
For 2023/4, 26 EPPP category 1 clubs compete in Premier League 2 and 11 EPPP2 clubs compete in Premier League 2 Division Two, both operate at a nationwide level with only Reading, in the top flight, being from outside England's top 2 leagues. Over the years, the format has flipped between Under 21 and Under 23. Currently up to 5 over age players are allowed per team as the big clubs struggle to decide the best format. It could be said that players should be ready by the age of 21 whilst the 5 over age players allows both the occasional late developer and squad or other players returning from injury competitive game time.
Beneath this, at "Tier 3", sits the Professional Development League, a 21 club competition split into 2 regional sections and features a range of clubs from Burnley and Watford down to Crewe and Colchester. If my maths and understanding is correct, that makes 58 clubs.
There are various Under 23 / 21 / development leagues in existence, pyramid fashion, beyond this. Here at “Tier 4”, many lower league clubs compete in various leagues that largely go under radar. One such league that operated during the 2022/3 season was The Central League, albeit a shadow of its former glories, a 7 team competition which included Huddersfield, Wrexham and 5 lower Football League clubs from Lancashire. For the 2023/4 season, The
Central League appears to have increased to a 12 club competition, spreading its tentacles to add Derby, Lincoln, Notts County, Mansfield and Barrow with west and east sections. This will also be around the level where the likes of Doncaster and Harrogate also compete.
I imagine “Tier 5” is the “National Football Youth League “set up. It has a 10 team northern set up consisting of Chesterfield, Mansfield, Macclesfield, Scarborough, South Shields, Steven Gerrard’s Academy (Paul Mullin is possibly the most notable graduate in its history) and 2 sides from each of Tadcaster Albion and i2i. Its 9 team southern equivalent includes Cambridge, Wealdstone and 7 teams from below National League. NFYL - Read More. Interestingly, records suggest that Mansfield compete in both the revamped Central League and the National Youth Football set up. It remains to be seen whether this is accurate or they have swapped competitions, potentially leaving a vacancy.
Further down, say “Tier 6” teams like Kidderminster run Under 23 sides, they complete in a West Midlands league, competing against many clubs that many have never heard of. Without a recognised EPPP academy, I could see City fitting in at "Tier 5" (and struggling to be accepted any higher up the pyramid). Given City’s late move into development squad world, it is assumed that City’s second string will play only friendlies during the 2023/4 season and look to enter a league for the 2024/5 season. Most “reserve” team leagues operate with only a handful of clubs, so playing 20 games a season might be a big ask. Given Mikey Morton’s comment that a player might need 50 - 100 games to be ready for a first team berth, it could be a long apprenticeship for some of our youngsters.
Whilst for City, "Tier 5" competition might provide a modicum of competitive football at reserve team level, it hardly seems the level that is needed to step into the first team, so for some time to come, loans at National League North / South level might prove to be the best route into our first team,
For the 2023/4 season, it looks like the development squad players’ playing time will be mostly via loan moves. However, City must play by “the rules”. Ryan Whitley was recalled after just 2 weeks of a season long loan at Scarborough, whilst Scarborough agreed to the deal, they might be disappointed to lose Whitley so quickly. It does nothing for their team planning and left them a first choice keeper down. Equally, in one of Mikey Morton’s last radio interviews, he indicated that he had 4 players lined up to go out on loan. 2 did, but when he was sacked, Tony McMahon indicated no one else would be leaving on loan until a new manager was appointed. Presumably 2 clubs were disappointed that they didn’t get the player they wanted. Such behaviour by City might make clubs think twice about asking City for a loanee if they think they may be messed around by City. Conversely, if City agree to "no recall" clause loans, that possibly suggests that the player is not "first team ready", so any clamour for his return must tempered by that.
Logically above a “development squad” would sit a “first team squad”, ideally with separate set ups and working in separate environments, City have in the past said that sometimes some academy players train with the first team squad as part of their development, that could work in a similar way with the development squad although being professionals they must always think they have a realistic chance of progressing to the first team.
I’m sure its possible that a lot of general fitness work could be undertaken in a combined group but as matchday approaches the groups split with the first team squad focusing on match preparation and further split into expected starter team and the others when undertaking specific match play / tactics work.
That brings us onto the composition of a development squad or rather the first team squad. A first team squad should comprise around 22 - 25 players with cover in each position, rather like a World Cup squad with all players capable of performing in the first team. Some expected to be “regular starters” and others capable of stepping up when required without letting the side down. That’s the distinction between “first team starter” and “first team squad”. Remember on September 16, City went into the Southend game with 8 players unavailable due to injury / illness which would mean all available first team squad players being in the match day squad (except for a 3rd choice keeper).
The rest of City’s 37 players would comprise the development squad, that is not to say there is no cross over between squads. Development squad players would get the chance to be in the first team when their form merits it and first team squad players could get match practice playing for the development team.
At the start of this (20234/) season, into the development squad, purely in terms of age, all will still be under 21 at the start of the next (2024/5) season, I would have put Siziba, Campbell, Haase, Taylor, Shepherd, Harrison and Hernandez. In terms of first team experience I would add Henderson. That’s 8 players in the development squad.
Siziba turned 20 in July 2023 and he’d played only 6 first team games (Hereford (NLN)) before joining City, so purely in terms of age and experience, he merited a development squad berth at the start of pre-season, but undoubtedly, he did enough in pre-season to feature in 7 of the first 9 games where scored 2 goals. Certainly not the finished article, but doing enough to deserve a place in a struggling side.
I’d struggle to place many more players in the development squad. Players like Castro and Latty-Fairweather dropped down from Championship and Division 1 clubs, with 20 and 47 first team appearances respectively at regional National League level or higher. I‘d be surprised if either would have dropped down to City for development squad football. I could argue that neither is a guaranteed first team starter but both have shown some first team squad quality.
The players I’d find hardest to place into a squad are Finlay Barnes and Kevin Joshua. At the start of the 2023/4 season, Barnes was 22 and with 3 seasons as a regular in lower league football whilst Kevin Joshua is 22 in November 2023 and arrived at City with 27 games behind him. In terms of balance, I’d put them both in the development squad making a 10 man squad.
I’m placing Sam Sanders in the first team squad. He’s now into his 3rd season with us and we shouldn’t expect players to spend 3 seasons in a development squad, if necessary, he can continue his development in the first team squad with the big boys. Cedric Main is an interesting case, but purely in terms of age and experience, he must also be considered a first team squad member. Both Sanders and Main are out on loan (mid September 2023), whether in terms of development, match practice or surplus to requirements is debatable.
As of mid September 2023, of our 37 players, I would say we have a first team squad 27 (including 3 out of loan) and 10 (including one out of loan) in the development squad. However, 2 of those development squad players (Barnes and Siziba) might be worthy of promotion to the first team squad place.
Whatever the make up of the first team and development squads, an even bigger consideration for a development squad must be whether City have the facilities at the training complex to support a third team (not forgetting the academy team). Neal Ardley has had plenty to say about the complex in terms of age, facilities and flooding. Does it have the size to expand to support a development squad?
YCFC Academy Once again, for the 2023/4 season, City competed in the National League Football Alliance North Division (Under 19) alongside other National League and National League North teams (AFC Fylde, Altrincham, Blyth Spartans, Boston United, Chester, Chesterfield, FC Halifax Town, Gateshead FC Guiseley, Solihull Moors, South Shields and Farsley Celtic). Notts County and Darlington dropped out and were replaced by South Shields and Farsley Celtic.
14 sides competed in the southern equivalent. All last season's 13 sides (Aldershot Town, Boreham Wood, Bromley, Dartford, Dorking, Dover, Eastleigh, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Maidenhead, Maidstone, Oxford City, Welling and Woking) returned and were joined by Southend.
City's National League status meant that the Under 18 side were exempted from 2 rounds (Preliminary and 1st Qualifying) of the FA Youth Cup. They joined the competition in early October.
City's academy players and their profiles. Beyond the Under 19 / 18 side, City run a whole series of age group teams.
Home league fixtures were mainly played at City's Wiggington Road training ground (YO32 2RB), usually on a Wednesday afternoon with an early kick off (usually 2pm (or earlier if required)) to finish in daylight. Home FA Youth Cup were due to be played at the LNER Community Stadium (or another designated home ground).
Footnote: The end of the 2023/4 season saw Oldham Athletic become the latest ex Football League to lose their Category 3 Academy, as funding was withdrawn by the Football League 2 years after they lost their Football League status. It meant that if any of their academy players are signed by other clubs, they would not receive compensation and they are no longer able to be involved in the EFL Youth Alliance for Under 18 teams. Going forward, like City, their youth system will take the form of a Development Centre which will be self funded. The club said: "We have always been proud of our Academy structure and value our commitment to developing talented young players. Over the years, we have provided the opportunity for young players to progress in a professional environment and we have been privileged to see so many of them flourish under the guidance of talented coaches".
Further Reading: National League Under-19 Alliance website.
Watch all the season's highlights.
2023/4 National League Youth Alliance Date Opponents Competition Venue Result Scorers (and notes) Wed 06 Sep BOSTON UNITED NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) D 2-2 Glynn, Wilson Wed 20 Sep GATESHEAD NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) W 3-0 Payne, Harrison, Hernandez Wed 27 Sep GUISELEY NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) W 1-0 Burland Wed 04 Oct WORKINGTON FAYCQ2 H (Garforth Town) W 3-0 Glynn (2), Burland Wed 11 Oct Solihull Moors NLFAU19N A (Studley Sports Centre) D 0-0 - Tue 17 Oct South Shields FAYCQ3 A (South Shields FC) L 0-3 - Wed 15 Nov South Shields NLFAU19N A (South Shields FC Training Ground) W 4-1 Payne (2), Wilson, Glynn Wed 22 Nov CHESTER NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) D 1-1 Glynn Wed 29 Nov Blyth Spartans NLFAU19N A (Wensleydale Park Playing Fields, NE24 3EZ) D 1-1 Hernandez Wed 13 Dec Chesterfield NLFAU19N A (Staveley Miners Welfare FC) L 0-2 - Wed 20 Dec FC Halifax NLFAU19N A (Wyke Community Sports Village) L 1-2 Gibson-Booth Wed 10 Jan Boston NLFAU19N A (Boston United (Jakemans Community Stadium)) L 2-3 Scorers TBC Wed 24 Jan Chesterfield NLFALC2 A (Go Active @ The Arc, Clowne) W 1-0 Scorer TBC Wed 31 Jan SOUTH SHIELDS NLFAU19N H (YSJ Haxby Road) W 2-0 Scorers TBC Wed 07 Feb Gateshead NLFAU19N A (Gateshead International Stadium) W 1-0 Payne Fri 23 Feb GUISELEY NLFALCN/SF H (YSJ Haxby Road) W 1-1 (4-2) Scorer TBC. City won on penalties Wed 28 Feb BLYTH SPARTANS NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) W 4-0 Lumsden (3) + Scorer TBC Wed 06 Mar Chester NLFAU19N A (King George V Sports Hub) L 1-2 Scorer TBC Wed 13 Mar ALTRINCHAM NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) W 4-1 Hernandez (2), Burland, Harrison Fri 15 Mar Altrincham NLFAU19N A (Egerton Youth Club, Knutsford, WA16 6SL) D 1-1 Scorer TBC Wed 20 Mar Blyth Spartans NLFALCN/F A (Wensleydale Park Playing Fields, NE24 3EZ) W 2-0 Marshall, Gibson-Booth Wed 27 Mar AFC FYLDE NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) W 3-0 Burland (2), Farrar Wed 03 Apr Guiseley NLFAU19N A (Leeds Trinity University (Trinity Fitness) L 1-2 Scorer TBC Wed 10 Apr CHESTERFIELD NLFAU19N H (York College) W 3-0 Grumley, OG, Burland Fri 12 Apr FARSLEY CELTIC NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) D 0-0 - Wed 17 Apr FC HALIFAX NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) W 3-2 Scorers TBC Wed 24 Apr AFC Fylde NLFAU19N A (Mill Farm Sports Village) WDL 1-1 Scorer TBC Fri 26 Apr Farsley Celtic NLFAU19N A (Wyke Community Sports Village) L 1-3 Scorer TBC Wed 01 May Maidstone NLFALCF N (St George's Park, Burton) L 0-1 - Fri 03 May SOLIHULL MOORS NLFAU19N H (YSJ Haxby Road) W 6-2 Gibson-Booth (2), Mortimer, Wilson, Payne, Hope In terms of performance, overall 2023/4 was possibly less successful when compared to the previous season's successes. In both the FA Youth Cup and National League Youth Alliance Cup, City failed by one game to go as far as last season. The team exited the FA Youth Cup in the final qualifying round (at South Shields) and once again, City reached the Alliance League Cup Final, but couldn't retain the trophy, losing to a late Maidstone winner. In the league, City's 4th place finish was 2 places below last season’s runners up spot. City’s side was generally strong defensively but struggled to score freely. However, the perennial problem remains, bar a few games for Ryan Whitley, none of the former academy players saw any first team action.
On the pitch, Bill Marshall was a strong leader whilst new signing Leon Gibson-Booth impressed at left centre back. Both earned their first professional contracts at the end of the season. Up front, no one was a prolific scorer.
The academy squad could field 3 professionals but their academy game time was limited. Striker Alex Hernandez (still eligible for all 2024/5 National League games, but not FA Youth Cup) had a successful one month loan spell at Winterton Rangers whilst George Harrison was impressing on loan at Bridlington Town before suffering a severe injury which forced him onto the sidelines for 3 months. Sam Taylor kept goal for City and had a loan at Billingham Synthonia
Sadly as ever, the end of season saw 5 year 2 scholars (Harry Burland, Harley Dawson, Williams Edenene, Charlie Lumsden and Alex Payne) released with Ben Myers released earlier, at the start of his second scholarship year, in summer 2023).
Perhaps, off the field offers more scope for success than in many recent seasons. Adam Hinshelwood has seemed much more switched into the academy set up than any other recent manager, having already watched several City Under 19 and schoolboy games and having previously promoted a number of young players into Worthing's first team.
Come late season, Hinshelwood promoted several academy players to train (and travel) with the first team. Those players were mainly defensive players. Whilst, Hinshelwood has indicated his desire to promote youth team players into the first team squad, the ongoing lack of a reserve / development side will still inhibit their development. The age old question remains. When will we see our youth products in our first team? In 2023, Ryan Whitley become only the 7th City youth product to make 30 first team appearances for City since 2004.
Footnote: With Brad Saxton moving on from City in January, there has subsequently been a more limited release of academy news and match information.
North Riding Senior Cup GUISBOROUGH TOWN (A) (01/Nov/2023 (19:45)) (North Riding Senior Cup, Round 2) L 2-3
Pre Season Friendlies - For The Record
City’s Under 19 side conceded 2 late goals to draw their opening game of the season 2-2 with Boston in a game were they fielded 6 debutants with another 4 newcomers on the bench.
City started strongly with Mackenzie Crookes’s free kick turned narrowly wide (4’) and Roan Shirley heading over from a corner (8’). In between, after 6 minutes, Alex Glynn had the ball in the back of the net but he was flagged offside. City’s pressure when after 15 minutes, Alex Glynn tapped home from close range after a great low cross into the area from the Edenene on the left. City continued to press with Williams Edenene (33’) curling an effort narrowly wide after keeper error. Alex Hernandez was next to test the keeper with a header (39’) and a minute later Harley Dawson’s low effort was parried away to safety by the goalkeeper. The half ended with an injury to City’s Alex Glynn and a yellow card for the Boston defender.
Within a minute of the restart, Dawson side footed his effort narrowly wide and 3 minutes later, Bailey Wilson’s header hit both posts before it was cleared to safety for a corner. Bailey Wilson had his reward on 55 minutes when the ball fell at his feet and he fired home from close range, neatly chipping the ball over a defender on the line from 12 yards with the keeper and a defender on the ground following a 3 way collision. On the hour, in rare Boston raid, they got back into the game with a far post header from a corner. The game returned to a familiar pattern with chances falling to City. Aaron Dijikingue headed narrowly over from a corner (65’), Hernandez (59’) drove forward and forced the Boston goalkeeper into a save whilst Dawson curled an effort over from distance (71’). After Hernandez was denied from close-range (81’), Boston came more into the game seeking an equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded in the 3rd minute of injury time with a neat finish after good approach play, but City will be disappointed that the scorer was allowed to run so far unchallenged.
CITY: Taylor ( c ); Tate, Shirley, Dijikinque, Crookes; Marshall; Glynn (Wilson 45+3), Dawson, Payne, Edenene (Mortimer 68, Hope 86); Hernandez. Unused Subs: Nganga, Grumley.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: Glynn (15), Wilson (55). Opponents: TBC.
Bookings: City: Mortimer (80). Opponents: TBC (35), TBC (45).
Sent Off: City: -. Opponents: -.
The U19s earned their first win of the season with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Gateshead at the training ground with goals from Alex Payne, George Harrison and Alex Hernandez. It was a stylish display in wet and windy conditions.
City started strongly through Payne, who had a header from close range test the gloves of the Gateshead goalkeeper after four minutes, before Dawson played in Hernandez who forced a fine save from close range (6’). Hernandez then had three brilliant chances within a ten minute period as he headed narrowly wide following a free kick (10’), before going one-on-one with the goalkeeper two minutes (12’), but he fired narrowly wide of the target from close-range. The young forward then had an effort cleared off the line (14’) following a quick reaction in the box from Hernandez, following Mackenzie Crooks’ free-kick played into the area. On 25 minutes, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net following a neat cross played into the area from the right, but the goal was disallowed for the Gateshead forward being in an offside position. A minute later, Harrison had a low effort parried by the goalkeeper, before Hernandez’s shot on the rebound was deflected wide for a corner. City’s dominant pressure finally paid off as they took the lead on the half hour mark. George Harrison’s low cross into the area from the right was picked up by Alex Payne, who swept the ball beyond the goalkeeper from close range and into the back of the net to hand York the lead as torrential rain started to pour. Goalkeeper Sam Taylor had little to do inside the opening half, only being called into action twice as he was forced into a routine save from distance, before having to react quick to punch away an inswinging free kick into the area from the left (35’).
City started the second half as they finished the first, on top and in search of a second goal of the afternoon. After Crookes’ cross was well held by the goalkeeper (48’), down at the other end, a Gateshead effort from distance went narrowly wide of Sam Taylor’s right hand post (55’). Hernandez went close again after 55 minutes, firing narrowly wide into the side-netting after being played in by Payne, before Harrison got onto the end of a left sided cross at the back post, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside (60’). The U19s had further chances to extend their lead and they nearly did so from a corner, but Roan Shirley’s powerful header came back off the post (69’), before Hernandez (70’) was denied by a smart save by the goalkeeper after going through one on one. The lead was finally extended with seventeen minutes to go as Charlie Lumsden’s low cross was turned home into the bottom right corner by George Harrison at the far post to double the Minstermen’s advantage. 2 minutes later, Gateshead put a penalty wide after a foul in the box by Shirley. The lead became even greater on 79 minutes when Alex Hernandez raced through in on goal before beating the goalkeeper with a calm finish from close range. The final chance of the game fell to Charlie Lumsden whose cross flashed narrowly across the face of goal (84’).
CITY: Taylor ( c ); Tate, Shirley, Dijikinque (Gibson-Booth 42), Crookes; Marshall; Harrison, Dawson, Payne (Wilson 81); Burland (Lumsden 63), Hernandez (Mortimer 81). Unused Subs: Carr.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: Payne (30), Harrison (73), Hernandez (79). Opponents: -.
Bookings: City: Dijikingue (40, foul), Alex Payne (63), Shirley (75, foul). Opponents: #TBC (8, dissent).
Sent Off: City: -. Opponents: -.
City beat Guiseley 1-0 thanks to a second half goal from Harry Burland.
From the kick off, City pressed forward and after 2 minutes, George Harrison went one on one with the goalkeeper before firing narrowly wide of the target. As play switched to the other end, Sam Taylor saved well from distance (12’) before Guiseley had a goal disallowed for offside (16’). As play swung again, Harry Burland gave City the lead when he dropped his left shoulder, turned his man out wide before advancing into the area and beating the keeper from a tight angle to score from close range. On 35 minutes, Alex Hernandez uses his body well to hold up play before driving forward and forcing the goalkeeper into a save with a fierce strike from distance. 4 minutes later, a great save from Taylor preserved City’s lead as he tipped a goal bound effort around his post for a corner after good attacking play down the left. From the resultant corner, Guiseley hit the bar.
After Harley Dawson headed over from a Mackenzie Crookes free kick, Guiseley had chances to equalise when a shot from distance was deflected into the gloves of Taylor (57’) and was forced into another low save (68’). City finished strong, clever play from Bailey Wilson who rounded the keeper before forcing a corner (76’) and Harrison’s strike from distance went narrowly over the bar (89’). A minute later, as Guiseley fought hard for an equaliser, they had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside resulting in a visiting player being shown a straight red card for dissent.
CITY: Taylor ( c ); Tate, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Crookes; Marshall; Harrison, Dawson, Payne (Wilson 67); Hernandez (Mortimer 81), Burland (Lumsden 72). Unused Subs: Carr, Grumley, Hope.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: Burland (26). Opponents: -.
Bookings: City: Harrison (66, Dissent). Opponents: #TBC (49, Dissent).
Sent Off: City: -. Opponents: #TBC (90 Dissent, straight red).
City’s Under 18 side beat Workington 3-0 at Garforth’s Bannister Prentice Stadium to progress to the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup thanks to a first half brace from Alex Glynn and a second half goal from Harry Burland.
Both sides had early half chances before winger Alex Glynn tapped in from close range after a great cross from Burland to give City the lead. As City pressed forward, Burland was denied a penalty (21’) and Harley Dawson drove forward and fired a low effort wide of goal. On 35 minutes Alex Glynn doubled City’s lead with a tap in after another Burland cross. A minute later, Glynn was denied a hat trick when his tap in, after Alex Payne’s low effort was parried by the keeper, was ruled offside.
After Workington started the second half brightly, City had the better chances when Alex Hernandez’s low effort was parried into the path of Payne who narrowly headed wide (54’) and 4 minutes later a lovely ball into the area across goal failed to find a City head. After Bill Marshall blocked a rare Workington effort, great work by Charlie Lumsden saw him feed Hernandez who fired narrowly over from close range (64’). On 73 minutes, Harry Burland completed the scoring with a great finish from close range. Despite late chances, Bailey Wilson (86) and Harley Dawson (88’) both volleyed narrowly wide.
CITY: Carr; Tate, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Crookes; Glynn (Lumsden 56’), Dawson, Marshall ( c ), Payne (Wilson 66’); Hernandez (Edenene 68’), Burland. Unused Subs: Dijikingue, Hope, Grumley, Mortimer.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: Glynn (15, 35), Burland (73). Opponents: -.
Bookings: City: Marshall (71, Foul). Opponents: -.
Sent Off: City: -. Opponents: -.
City, who finished 3rd last season drew 0-0 at Solihulll Moors, the side that had finished immediately above them in the table.
CITY: Taylor ( c ); Harrison, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Crookes; Dawson, Marshall, Payne, Lumsden; Burland, Edenene. Subs (Usage unknown, 4 named): Dijikingue, Wilson, Mortimer, Glynn.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: -. Opponents: -.
Bookings: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Sent Off: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
The Young Minstermen bowed out of the FA Youth Cup after a 3-0 defeat against South Shields, who'd already beaten Darlington and Gateshead in the competition, at the 1st Cloud Arena. It was the second time in 3 seasons that City went out to South Shields.
City had the better of the opening exchanges when Alex Hernandez challenged the keeper (2’), as he comes rushing out to collect, but South Shields win a free kick following the challenge. After 12 minutes, Williams Edenene capitalised on a loose ball at the back but he was unable to score from close range as the ball rolled across the face of goal away from him after taking it around the keeper. 2 minutes later, a great Ben Tate cross ball found Alex Payne at the back post but he fired narrowly wide. 4 minutes later, Hernandez forced the keeper into a fine save from close range after more tidy play down the right by right-back Tate. The hosts went close from a corner (28’) and took the lead in the 32nd minute through a neat volley inside the area after good play down the right, before the lead was doubled 2 minutes later with a superbly timed volley across goal and into the bottom left corner following a cross field pass from left to right. City were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time as Hernandez was fouled after capitalising on a loose ball in the South Shields defence. The forward picked himself up to take the penalty, but he was denied from twelve yards as the keeper guessed the correct way and got down low to deny his effort.
A change in formation in the second half saw City look to edge their way back into the game, but it was the hosts who carried on as they left off in the first-half as they looked to extend their lead further. City goalkeeper Harry Carr was called into action on the hour mark, getting down well to deny an effort from close-range, before the young shot stopper did well to divert a curling effort from distance away from goal. City sub Harry Burland was prominent. He drove towards goal down the right, but the goalkeeper was quick off his line to come and gather the ball (70’) and on 83 minutes, he was taken down in the area by the keeper but no penalty was given by the referee. On 85 minutes, The hosts made it 3-0 from close range after Carr failed to collect the ball from a cross.
Speaking after the game, Youth Team Manager Tim Ryan said "It was a really big night for the club on an FA Youth Cup night, and I'm really disappointed with how we've come away the game, we just didn't show up at all tonight. Goals change games and we came here to set-up in a way to combat how they play, but the two goals in quick succession changed the game and it made it a lot harder for ourselves heading into the second half. We came up against a really good, possession-based side, who dominated the duels and won everything in the middle. From start to finish, they had a lot more competitive edge and fire in the belly to win the game than we did and that was disappointing to see. They're a team who are now in the same league as us and when we come up against them next we need to put on a much better performance".
CITY: Carr; Tate, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Crookes; Glynn (Burland, HT), Dawson (Wilson 64), Marshall ( c ), Payne; Hernandez, Edenene (Dijikingue 55). Unused Subs: Lumsden, Mortimer, Grumley, Hope.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: -. Opponents: TBC.
Bookings: City: Marshall (Foul, 67). Opponents: -.
Sent Off: City: -. Opponents: -.
Att: 248
After going a goal down, goals from Alex Payne (2), Alex Glynn and Bailey Wilson gave City a comfortable 4-1 win at South Shields to avenege defeat in their last game, an FA Youth Cup match at Shields 4 weeks earlier. No other match details were available.
CITY: Taylor ( c ); Marshall, Dijikingue, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Edenene; Grumley, Wilson, Payne; Glynn, Hernandez. Subs (Usage unknown, 4 named): Nganga, Mortimer, Crooks, Carr.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: Payne (2), Glynn, Wilson. Opponents: TBC.
Bookings: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Sent Off: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
An excellent strike from Alex Glynn on 39 minutes gave City a half time lead but an equaliser from Chester (61') meant the points were shared. No other match details were available.
CITY: Taylor ( c ); Marshall, Dijikingue, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Edenene; Grumley, Wilson, Payne; Glynn, Hernandez. Subs (Usage unknown, 4 named): Nganga, Mortimer, Crooks, Hope, Carr.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: Glynn. Opponents: TBC.
Bookings: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Sent Off: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
A strike from Alex Hernandez gave City a half time lead but a Blyth equaliser (72') meant the points were shared as City extended their unbeaten league run. No other match details were available.
CITY: Taylor ( c ); Marshall, Dijikingue, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Crooks; Grumley, Tate, Payne; Glynn, Hernandez. Subs (Usage unknown): Edenene, Hope, Wilson, Mortimer, Nganga.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: Hernandez. Opponents: TBC.
Bookings: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Sent Off: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
2 second half goal condemned City’s Under 19 side to their first league defeat of the season at Chesterfield in a game postponed from October 25 due to Chesterfield's FA Youth Cup commitments.
CITY: Taylor ( c ); Marshall, Dijikingue, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Crooks; Grumley, Tate, Payne; Nganga, Burland. Subs (Usage unknown): Carr, Dawson, Glynn, Mortimer, Hope.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: -. Opponents: TBC.
Bookings: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Sent Off: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Despite a late consolation goal from Leon Gibson-Booth, his first for the club, City's Under 19 side ended the year with a 2-1 defeat at FC Halifax Town after conceding 2 first half goals in a game postponed from October 4 due to FA Youth Cup commitments.
CITY: Carr; Marshall, Dawson, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Crooks; Grumley, Tate, Payne; Burland, Glynn. Subs (Usage unknown, only 4 named): Dijikingue, Lumsden, Hope, Nganga.
OPPONENTS: TBC
Goals: -. Opponents: TBC.
Bookings: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Sent Off: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
City went down to 2-3 defeat away to mid table Boston.
Despite leading twice, City went in level at the break before going down 3-2 courtesy of a Luke Horne brace, Boston's giant and impressive centre forward. Taylor Jaine had fired United’s second leveller before the break.
CITY: TBC. Unused Subs: -.
OPPONENTS: Cameron Fox, Ellis Perry-Burdett, Josh Doran, Will Langford, Taylor Jaine (Finley Ging 67), Charlie Brooks, Jake Henderson (Lucas Turrell 67), Kris Zaluzinskis, Luke Horne (Joe Wilkinson 90), Hugo Hunt (Oliver Fields 80), JJ Ward (Nathan Bowen 22). Unused Subs: -.
Goals: -. Opponents: Horne (2), Jaine.
Bookings: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Sent Off: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
With a bye in Round 1, a first half goal secured City an away win at Chesterfield to earn a national quarter final (northern semi final) home game with Guiseley.
CITY: TBC. Unused Subs: .
OPPONENTS: TBC. Unused Subs: -.
Goals: -. Opponents: Horne (2), Jaine.
Bookings: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Sent Off: City: TBC. Opponents: TBC.
City beat South Shields 2-0 in a game played at St Johns ground (Haxby Road) due to the waterlogged state of the training ground pitches.
City won 1-0 away at Gateshead thanks to Alex Payne's goal from a quickly taken free kick.
City beat Guiseley 4-2 on penalties after the game finished 1-1. Despite an early goal from City's Harry Burland (6'), a draw was probably a fair result. However, City confidently slotted home their first 4 penalties to progress. City now play Blyth in the northern final with the winners playing Aldershot or Maidstone in the national final. The game was originally scheduled for February 21 at the training ground but postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and moved to St Johns.
A Charlie Lumsden hat trick helped City to a 4-0 win over Blyth, the teams will meet again in the Northern Cup Final.
City went down to a 2-1 defeat at Chester.
An Alex Hernandez brace and goals from Harry Burland and George Harrison helped City to a 4-1 win over Altrincham, a little compensation after the night before.
City and Altrincham fought out a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture 2 days later in a game that was postponed from October 18 due to
FA Youth Cup commitments.
City beat Blyth 2-0 in the northern section final. Bill Marshall (39') gave City the lead and after weathering Blyth pressure in the second half, Leon Gibson-Booth scored from over 25 yards out when he beat the Blyth wall direct from a free kick. Blyth were reduced to ten men in the second half. City will now meet Maidstone in the national final at St George’s Park on Wednesday May 1st.
One interested spectator was Adam Hinshelwood who after the game said, "I’m really pleased, I travelled up with the lads on my day off up to Blyth. It was my first time travelling up that far, I took a picture to show the family how north I was! "I was really pleased and encouraged by how well they played, they’ve got some real good talents in their ranks there and it was nice to cast my eye over them. To get to the final is brilliant for the club. I said to them before the game that I really want them to really embrace a semi-final and a big game, and that’s what we want them to bring to the club on a more regular basis, those big games and getting to finals. It’s something that I want them to relish. I’ve done it (working with academy youngsters) a lot to be honest, part of my full-time role at Worthing was to take the under-19s so I can see them first hand which were, not just technically ready, but as a young player coming through the mentality and whether they are ready to step up as well. The lads up here have put on a York shirt and really embrace that, their spirit is really good. They were certainly up for the game yesterday which was really encouraging to see, but part of what I like to do is give youngsters an opportunity. In previous years, I’ve not been afraid to give a 16-year-old an opportunity if I feel that they are mentally ready, and I want that to be no different here. I want to work with the young, local talent, I went on Saturday morning to see some of the youth teams play, the under-13s and the under-15s play, it’s something that I want to try to eventually get across in the Summer. A playing philosophy throughout the club, with lads coming into the club from a young age and making it all the way through. It’s been a while since the club has done that, but it’s something I’m really keen to bring back.".
City were unable to repeat last season's record 15-0 win over AFC Fylde, but still won 3-0 in a game originally scheduled for October 18 but postponed due to FA Youth Cup commitments. Harry Burland (2) and Ben Farrar scored. The win lifted City to 5th in the table, with 7 games remaining they sit 4 points behind fourth placed Chester with 4 games in hand.
City went down to a 2-1 defeat away to Guiseley in a game played at Leeds Trinity University's Trinity Fitness ground. The game had been re-arranged from February 21 (and Guiseley's Nethermoor Park ground) due to City's Youth Alliance Cup commitments.
City recorded a dominant 3-0 win over Chesterfield with goals from Grumley, own goal and Burland in a game moved from the Training Ground to York College, presumably because of the state of the pitches at the Training Ground.
City drew 0-0 with second placed Farsley Celtic in a game postponed from December 6 due to adverse weather. The point lifted City to fourth place in the table.
City recorded a 3-2 win over FC Halifax despite playing with only 10 men for over 80 minutes.
City drew 1-1 away to AFC Fylde.
4th placed City lost 1-3 at the Wyke Community Sports Village in a game that was originally scheduled for 2nd placed Farsley Celtic FC's Citadel ground but was postponed from March 20 due to City's Alliance Cup commitments.
City were cruelly denied back to back trophies in the National League Alliance Cup with a stoppage time free kick earning Maidstone United a 1-0 victory. A superb free kick from Riley Court saw Maidstone end City’s hopes of retaining their trophy, despite a spirited effort from a young City squad managed by Tim Ryan and Dan Wilson. The Minstermen were watched by first team manager Adam Hinshelwood in the stands at England’s prestigious St George’s Park, where the national team train, after a sublime run saw York reach this stage of the competition. Lacking injured star striker Alex Hernandez through injury, City had several chances to take the lead but their challenge to retain the trophy was made harder by a controversial refereeing performance that included a straight red card to Alex Payne (85'), before Court stole the triumph late on with an exceptionally taken free kick (90+5').
City's Sam Taylor was called into action inside the opening minute, reading a distance shot all the way to routinely save. Elliott Wenham rolled one wide minutes later for Maidstone, driving down the left hand flank but being unable to hit the target. City eased into the game. First, Taylor's delightful distribution got the forwards moving in the 14th minute, he picked out Harry Burland, who carried forward before Harvey Hope sent a left footed shot into the palms of Chris Swift. Referee James Cairns was waving away penalty shouts just four minutes later, denying City a chance from the spot despite Burland being cut across of inside the area. Left back McKenzie Crooks delivered an inviting chance to Hope a minute later, but the forward's connection wasn't clean enough to take full advantage of the chance. Crooks went again a minute after, again to Hope who hit hard but wide after a nick off a Maidstone defender. Wenham saw sight of Taylor's goal again in the 26th minute, this time with the near post shot saved. George Harrison picked out the ever problematic Burland in the 41st minute, with the forward controlling the ball well before blasting into the charging Swift. A mix up at the back for the Stones saw Hope gifted a chance on the edge of the area just before the break, but the forward's shot had little pace along the ground in the end.
After the break, Riley Court cleared the crossbar with an attacking free kick for Maidstone straight after the half time interval. Wenham then had a shot blocked by Roan Shirley before it was flicked out for a corner, which Bill Marshall cleared after rising high. Harrison worked an opening on the edge of the area in the 51st minute, stinging the palms of Swift in the Stones' net. Swift then denied Hope from close range in the 63rd minute when the forward tried to lift his shot over the ‘keeper. Stones substitute Paddy Flynn struck wide from the close range shortly after, with both sides knocking on the doors. City right-back Ben Tate used his body bravely in the 79th minute to block away a chance which fall invitingly for Stones substitute Akshar Santosh. It was the turn of City substitute Charlie Lumsden to try make an impact, but in the end he guided a weak header wide in the 84th minute. Alex Payne saw red in the 85th minute after sliding in for a 50/50 challenge, which referee James Cairns deemed to be a red card challenge. City looked to be seeing it out for penalties for the remainder of the tie, with Court's distance shot easily claimed by Taylor as the game went on. Flynn had City hearts racing in the 4th of injury time when he crashed a chance onto the post from a handful of yards out. A minute later, Maidstone struck decisively through a Court freekick to seal victory.
City's starting side contained 2 professionals, 5 players coming to the end of their scholarship and 4 first year scholars. The bench included 2 second year scholars, 2 first year scholars and one schoolboy who will be starting his 2 year scholarship in the summer.
View photo gallery.
Dan Wilson, City's Head of Youth Development was impressed by his side's performance despite the final result, "I think that the performance was good to be honest, in terms of taking the result to one side, we played quite well. We looked good on the ball, we tried to play the way that we wanted to play, we got into some good areas of the pitch but we just weren't clinical enough in the final third to take those good chances. That's why we lost, it wasn't right in both boxes but the rest of it was very good today. I didn't think that we looked like conceding for most of the game either. They're 17, 18, 19, so they've got loads to learn. We learned today and we will learn a lot from it, we will bounce back and take the lessons from today. I thought that we were on top, until the red card (midfielder Alex Payne) came it was a good game and with that performance we were leaning towards winning it. Red cards change games and especially when they are that late on, it was a big pitch so the players were tiring a little bit so it made it difficult. I thought we were okay for the ten minutes after and I didn't think that we were going to concede, other than potentially from a set piece. It's always nice when you take a trophy home with you, but we will have learned loads and it's a good experience for the boys. Its great that the National League have put this on, and I'd like to say congratulations to Maidstone."
City manager Adam Hinshelwood, who was at the game said, "I thought that we were the better team to be honest. I thought that it was destined to go to penalties, neither team had a real good chance until right at the end. All in all, I have been really pleased with what I have seen today, there has been some good glimpses and some good players on show. Obviously they will hurt a lot this evening, it's something that we want to experience are these big games. Playing at a nice venue like this in a big game is what you want, so for them to get a bit of an experience like that today is really important for them. It's a fantastic place to come, I thought that the pitch was superb and it's great for them to host these kind of finals. It was a relatively big crowd and a big game for them, which they have worked hard for all season to reach this final. It's what we want, we want these players to become accustomed to this. There wasn't too much splitting the two teams, it was a bit nervy but once the game had settled it down it was a good game. The decisions didn't really go our way but York came out in full force for their young players which was nice to see."
YORK CITY: Taylor, Tate (Grumley, 90), Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Crooks, Marshall ( c ), Payne, Dawson, Harrison (Lumsden, 59), Hope (Farrar, 75), Burland (Edenene, 86). Unused Sub: Carr.
OPPONENTS: Swift, Wincott, Jackson-Hunt, Richards, Hatton, Parle, Clark, Court, Mitford, Wenham, Jackson. Subs (Usage Unknown): Wilson, Akash Santosh, Akshar Santosh, Bedzram.
Goals: -. Opponents: Court (90+5').
Bookings: Tate (13'), Dawson (65'), Marshall (73'): TBC. Opponents: TBC.
Sent Off: City: Payne (84'). Opponents: -.
City's Under 19 side bounced back from the disappointment of 2 days earlier with a stunning 6-2 win over Solihull Moors who had a man sent off. Gibson-Booth (2), Mortimer, Wilson, Payne and Hope scored for City. Moors who'd finished last season as league runners up needed a point to climb off the bottom of the table.
Victory saw City finish the season in 4th place, 11 wins and 6 defeats from 24 game, the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 26 goals but City's 46 goals were dwarfed by the 75+, 58 and 55+ of the top 3 sides with Guiseley being crowned league champions
The game, postponed from February 14 due to bad weather, was played at York St John's College (Haxby Road) as City's training centre was already under its annual summer renovation programme.
City entered the competition in Round 2 (Last 16) in a draw that included Middlesbrough Under 21s and Scarborough. City exited the competition with a narrow 3-2 defeat at Guisborough Town at the King George V Stadium on a windy evening.
Overseen by Youth Team Manager Tim Ryan, the starting eleven featured a mix of first team (Maison Campbell, Thierry Latty-Fairweather, Mitch Hancox (captain), Zanda Siziba and Scott Barrow, who made his first appearance since suffering an injury in the 2021/2 National League North play off final 17 months ago) and youth team players.
Campbell was called into action early on in the Minstermen goal, firstly being tested into a save from distance which was parried away, before making a quick reaction save to deny a header from close range in the twentieth minute. City got on the front foot for a short spell shortly after as Latty-Fairweather (28') was denied from a tight angle as he won a corner before Hancox (31') tried lobbing the goalkeeper after making a break through the middle, but his effort was easily saved by the Guisborough goalkeeper. The hosts took the lead in the 37th minute with a tap-in at the far post through Sonny Coleman after a low cross played across the face of goal from the right.
City levelled the scores six minutes after the break as Mitch Hancox scored a tap-in from a central position after good work down the right by Siziba. An end to end spell followed. Siziba made a brilliant run forward before having an effort deflect away for a throw, before Campbell was again called into action as he got down low to parry away a low shot from a tight angle. Guisborough retook the lead in the 64th minute as substitute Ben Cummins pounced on a loose ball to score from close range as he put his side back into the lead. The lead didn’t last long as Zanda Siziba equalised with fifteen minutes to go. The winger hit the ball first time from distance and rolled the ball into the back of the net after the Guisborough goalkeeper didn’t put enough on a clearance. As the game looked like it was going to head to penalties, the hosts went 3-2 ahead with four minutes left. Defender Alex Nelson headed home from close range at the back post after a delivery into the area from the right. City had one final chance to pull a way back into the game, but with the final chance of the game, Siziba drilled an effort narrowly over the bar from the tightest of angles.
City conceded the first two goals down the left side when defenders were beaten or lost the man whilst both City goals came from mistakes. Barrow will have been pleased to get through a full 90 minutes but appeared to need more work before he is National League ready. None of the professionals (including TLF at left midfield / wing back with Barrow behind him and Siziba playing more as a central striker) did enough to suggest they’ll be first team regulars any time soon. Of the youngsters, Bill Marshall, sat in front of the back 4, linked the back and midfield well, showed plenty of energy and always appeared at the right time to make a challenge whilst Leon Gibson-Booth (left centre back) looked calm, composed, good in the air and with his feet was quick across the ground and was a strongman of the match candidate.
CITY: Campbell; Tate, Shirley, Gibson-Booth (Edenene 74), Barrow; Payne, Marshall, Hancox (C); Lumsden (Nganga 59), Siziba, Latty-Fearweather Unused Subs: Taylor, Dijikingue, Wilson.
OPPONENTS: TBC.
Goals: City: Hancox (51'), Siziba (75'): Opponents: Coleman (37'), Cummins (64'), Nelson (86').
Bookings: City: Tate (23', Foul): Opponents: -
Sent Off: -
Referee: Matthew Dicicco
Attendance: 286
City come from behind to draw their first pre-season game as Finlay Barnes scored on his debut against newly promoted Championship side Sheffield Wednesday after Josh Windass had given the visitors a 26th minute lead. Mikey Morton’s side, containing 6 newcomers and 2 trialists, put up a good physical challenge against a team from 3 tiers higher. City wore a numberless version of the new season's kit that had been announced earlier in the day.
The first chance of the game went to Wednesday, but Ryan Fallowfield’s last ditch tackle denied Luke Cook from opening the scoring. Barry Bannan delivered the first corner of the game, but Dominic Iorfa’s header was held by Ryan Whitley. City’s keeper was called into action again when he saved Lee Gregory’s close range effort. The visitors took the lead as Josh Windass made the most out of a loose back-pass inside the penalty area and rolled the ball past Whitley. Cameron Dawson was needed for the first time as he got down low to claim Maz Kouhyar’s low drive towards goal. Lenell John-Lewis then saw his left-footed volley fly narrowly wide of the post.
The Minstermen started the second half strongly, with Michael Duckworth hitting a low effort tightly wide of the bottom corner after linking up with Mitch Hancox. Scott Burgess then had his long-range free-kick tipped over the bar, and the resulting corner saw Crookes head straight into the gloves of Dawson. On came Finlay Barnes in the 55th minute who, with half an hour to go, arrived at the back post to tap in Andoh’s low cross. Barnes then had another chance, but his curling effort was deflected and went out for a corner. In the last thirty minutes, neither side could find a winner, with little chances being created.
General concensus was that Finlay Barnes and Levi Andoh were the better of the newcomers and Olly Dysn the best of the returnees whilst David Stockdale shaded Ryan Withey in goal.
York City (First Half): Whitley, Crookes, Sanders, Pybus, Fallowfield, Latty-Fairweather, Trialist A (Moonan), Burgess, Hurst (Hancox 27’), John-Lewis, Kouhyar
York City (Second Half): Stockdale, Crookes, Sanders (Trialist B (Porter) 59’), Duckworth, Andoh, McLaughlin, Dyson, Hancox, Burgess (Barnes 55’), Kouhyar (Siziba 59’), Main
Goals: Barnes (60’)
Sheffield Wednesday: Dawson (Charles, 61’), Iorfa (Onukwuli, 46’), Brennan (Fusire, 61’), Famewo (Paterson, 45’), James (Ihiekwe, 45’), Johnson (Smith, 45’), Bakinson (Alimi-Adetoro, 45’), Bannan (Glover, 45’), Cook (Phuthi, 61’), Gregory (Flanney, 45’), Windass (Vaulks, 45’)
Goals: Windass (26’)
Attendance: 5,953 (2,960 Sheffield Wednesday)
The Minstermen earned their first win in pre-season following a comprehensive behind closed doors 4-1 victory over Garforth Town. Goals from Zanda Siziba, Scott Burgess, Maziar Kouhyar and Jonny Shepherd completed the win for City, who saw off their North East Counties Premier Divison opponents at the training ground. Mikey Morton named a much changed side from the one that featured against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon, which also included three trialists from the start.
Goalkeeper Maison Campbell had to react quickly after only three minutes to deny a Garforth shot on target inside of the penalty area, before Finlay Barnes went close to scoring his second goal of pre-season following his first goal for the club in Saturday's draw against Sheffield Wednesday, but he had a curling effort from the edge of the area tipped away for a corner. City led in the 15th minute through Siziba, who beat the keeper inside the penalty area with a first-time finish from close-range, after Trialist C did well to regain possesion before squaring the ball across the area towards the former Yeovil Town winger. The visitors equalised a minute before half time, as a ball across goal from the right hand side was finished off from close range by Tabish Hussain, who beat Campbell to score his first-ever goal in Garforth colours.
After Garforth had a goal ruled out for offside early on in the second half, the Minstermen ran away with proceedings as three second half goals put the contest to bed. Burgess gave the Minstermen the lead once again with a stunning finish on 52 minutes, lobbing the goalkeeper from the edge of the area after the hosts acted smartly from a quick throw in. On 68 minutes, the lead became 3-1 to the Minstermen. After racing onto a ball played down the left channel, Kouhyar used his pace to beat his man and run inside the area, before beating the 'keeper at his near post with a side-footed effort across goal. After 75 minutes, City put the game to bed when Kouhyar did well to regain possesion after a mistake at the back from the hosts, before finding Shepherd on the edge of the area, who's low right-footed effort beat the Garforth 'keeper at his left hand post to secure the win for the Minstermen.
York City: Campbell, (Trialist D (Brown) 46'), Fallowfield (C) (Andoh 57'), Trialist A (Porter), Joshua (Sanders 57'), Andoh (Latty-Fairweather 46'), Trialist B (Moonan), Trialist C (Weir), Burgess (Kouhyar 57'), Barnes, Henderson (Main 57'), Siziba (Shepherd 26'). Unused Subs: Crookes
Goals: Siziba (15'), Burgess (52'), Kouhyar (68'), Shepherd (73')
City drew 0-0 against Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough, in a very even pre-season game at the LNER Community Stadium. The Minstermen hosted Middlesbrough on a day full of weather changes but not a day full of goals, as City turned out in the Jorvik inspired white away shirt for the first time. York boss Mikey Morton gave debuts to Callum Harriott, Tyler Cordner and Callum Howe while Clubman Olly Dyson played his first game after extending his deal at York. Middlesbrough are looking to build towards a season where they will hope to go one better than last season’s play-off defeat, and have so far beat Portuguese top division side Vitória S.C but suffered defeat against Hartlepool during pre-season. Mikey Morton’s side put on a good performance against the second tier side in challenging, changeable conditions which saw the match briefly suspended.
The start of the game was quite slow, with few chances of note aside from an important intervention from debutant Howe to block a Morgan Rogers chance in the 16th minute. Matthew Hoppe fired wide at the back post after stretching to meet a deep early delivery from the left. Harriott looked to impress during his first outing for the Minstermen and was a bright spark with some tricky footwork, but this did not yield a clear-cut opportunity. In the 24th minute the play was temporarily suspended due to thunder and lightning, but the wait wasn't long as around 10 minutes later we were back underway. 10 minutes after the restart Rogers was one-on-one against Ryan Whitley but Callum Howe again pulled out a superhuman challenge to stop the youngster giving the visitors the lead. Middlesbrough attacked again soon after and Sam Collins’ strike was not capable of beating Whitley. Towards the end of the half, the ball fell to skipper Lenell John-Lewis’ feet who met it with a thunderous strike over the bar. That was it for the first half as the referee blew with the score at 0-0.
The second half started very quickly as Rogers broke down the right for the visitors and squared the ball across which was again met by Howe to clear it for City. In the 53rd minute Middlesbrough had a great chance when Sammy Silvera broke down the left, before he cut inside and curled his effort over the bar. York countered and went close at the other end with a volley from Maz Kouhyar forcing Tom Glover to make a save. In the 64th minute Maz Kouhyar cut inside and curled an effort narrowly wide with his right foot. As the clock ticked beyond 90 minutes, the Minstermen were preparing to take a corner and with players forming a queue in the box, the referee blew for full-time before it was delivered, meaning the game ended goalless.
York City (First Half): York City: Whitley, Duckworth (Fallowfield, 60), Howe (Crookes, 60), Cordner (Sanders, 60), Latty-Fairweather (Andoh, 60), Pybus (McLaughlin, 60), Dyson (Burgess, 60), Hancox (Trialist A (Porter), 60), Harriott (Barnes, 60), John-Lewis (Main, 60), Kouhyar. Unused Subs: Campbell, Trialist B
Goals: -
Middlesbrough: Dieng (Glover, 45), Smith (Costello, 80), Collins (Bridge, 80), Barlaser (Simpson, 81), van den Berg (Hannah, 57), Silvera (Nkrumah, 70), Sykes (Stott, 57), Jones (Patterson-Powell, 70), Hoppe (Matthews, 57), Rogers (John, 70), Lenihan (Whelan, 80). Unused Subs: Max Howells
Goals: -
Referee: Ross Joyce
Attendance: 4,958 (2,185 Middlesbrough)
City extended their unbeaten pre-season start with a 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers. Maziar Kouhyar’s second goal of pre-season was the difference as City saw off their League Two opponents despite having to play the last twenty minutes with ten men after Thierry Latty-Fairweather was shown a second yellow card. Rovers named a strong Doncaster side that featured ex Minstermen Joe Ironside and Jack Degruchy.
First chance of the evening fell to Doncaster’s Kyle Hurst who drove a low right footed effort narrowly wide of David Stockdale’s right hand post from the edge of the area after six minutes, before Jamie Sterry had to make a last ditch block to prevent Zanda Siziba getting a shot away towards goal for the Minstermen after nice link up play with Cedric Main. Stockdale was called into action just short of the fifteenth minute, reacting bravely to keep out a fierce volley from Joseph Olowu from close range, before a brilliant tackle by Ryan Fallowfield saw the full back play Main in on goal, who was denied by the feet of Doncaster goalkeeper Ian Lawlor from just inside the penalty area. Latty-Fairweather then tried his luck on goal after making a brilliant surging row down the left, but the Minstermen were once again denied by a smart save by Lawlor, before Lawlor was again tested by Fallowfield at the far post, forcing a corner after an inviting cross into the area from the left by Scott Burgess. From the resulting corner, Adam Crookes had a header go through a shield of bodies and fly narrowly wide of goal as the Minstermen continued to search for an opener, before ex-Rotherham United centre-back Richard Wood found himself in a similar position as Crookes did only ten minutes prior, but he also glanced a header wide of goal for the visitors.
After an end to end first half, Doncaster went close to scoring first early on in the opening exchanges of the second period, but after making a brilliant surging down the left hand side, Kyle Hurst drilled an effort well wide of goal and out for a goal kick. The Minstermen took the lead in the 62nd minute through substitute Kouhyar, who rose highest inside the penalty area to head home from Michael Duckworth’s corner, burying his header into the bottom right corner to beat Doncaster substitute goalkeeper Ben Bottomley. Latty-Fairweather was then handed a second yellow card by referee Marc Edwards, meaning the Minstermen had to play the remaining twenty minutes with only ten men. Duckworth nearly extended the Minstermen’s lead with a superb curling free-kick from 25 yards, but he was denied by the woodwork as Doncaster escaped from conceding a second goal of the evening. Doncaster went in search for an equaliser and they had a brilliant chance to do so with only thirteen minutes to play. Luke Molyneux made a brilliant surging through the centre of play before playing in Tyler Roberts, but the substitute forward was unable to keep his effort down as he fired well over the bar from a tight angle. The visitors were unable to pull a way back into the game as they fell to defeat against the Minstermen.
York City: Stockdale, Fallowfield (Duckworth 58’), Crookes (Cordner 58’), Sanders (Howe 58’), Latty-Fairweather, Trialist A (Porter) (Pybus 58’), McLaughlin (C) (Hancox 58’), Burgess (Dyson 58’), Barnes (Trialist B 90' (Moonan)), Main (John-Lewis 58’), Siziba (Kouhyar 58’). Unused Subs: Campbell
Goals: Kouhyar (62’)
Yellow Cards: Burgess, Sanders, Latty-Fairweather
Red Card: Latty-Fairweather (2Y)
Doncaster Rovers: Lawlor (Bottomley 60’), Olowu (Miller 60’), Wood (Taylor 60’), Sterry (Biggins 60’), Maxwell (Long 60’), Close (Bailey 60’), Broadbent (Roberts 60’), Sotona (Allen 60’), Rowe (Faulkner 60’), Hurst (Degruchy 60’), Ironside (Molyneux 60’). Unused Subs: Watson, Flint, Wood, Kuleya, Goodman
Yellow Cards: Degruchy
Goals: -
Referee: Marc Edwards
Attendance: 2,515 (660 Doncaster Rovers supporters)
City extended their unbeaten run in pre-season to five games with a comprehensive 4-0 victory away at Tadcaster Albion. Goals before half time from Adam Crookes and Zanda Siziba saw the Minstermen lead at the break, before Siziba’s second and a Dan Pybus strike saw the visitors secure the victory at the So-Trak Stadium. New signing Quevin Castro, who joined the club in the summer from West Bromwich Albion, made his debut from the bench.
City enjoyed early dominant pressure went close with a great chance through Paddy McLaughlin after only eight minutes, but after finding time and space with the ball on the edge of the area, he was unable to keep a right footed effort down as it flew over the bar. 3 minutes later, City took the lead Crookes, who was in the right place at the right time at the far post to score an easy finish after having the ball squared across goal to him by Siziba from the right. City went close to doubling their lead three minutes later after good work down the left by Kouhyar saw the ball fall to Lenell John-Lewis inside the penalty area, but his low effort was met by a smart save by Tadcaster goalkeeper Joe Wilton, before Siziba had an effort on goal from distance which once again called the Tadcaster goalkeeper into action. The Minstermen doubled their lead on the half hour mark through Siziba, who picked up a short ball out wide, before cutting inside from the left and unleashed a curling right footed effort, which beat Wilton at his left hand post. York had fewer chances to extend their lead even further before the break, as John-Lewis and Crookes both had efforts which forced Wilton into making further saves.
City started the second half strongly just as they did in the first and went close within the first seven minutes. Tadcaster’s substitute goalkeeper was forced into making a smart double save to deny both Kouhyar and John-Lewis, after City looked to break down the left. City added their third goal of the afternoon on the hour mark, courtesy of Siziba’s second goal of the contest. The former Yeovil Town winger broke through a body of Tadcaster defenders, before beating the ‘keeper with a low finish into the bottom-left corner across the face of goal. Another great break down the right then saw Siziba play through John-Lewis into the area, but after beating the ‘keeper at his left hand post, his effort was denied by the linesman’s flag. Pybus added the Minstermen’s fourth of the afternoon with twenty minutes to go after beating the ‘keeper from the edge of the area after the midfielder danced his way through a handful defenders, before getting a shot away on goal. City later had chances through substitutes Scott Burgess and Cedric Main, but neither were unable to beat the substitute keeper as they ran out 4-0 winners.
York City: Campbell, Duckworth (Fallowfield 77’), Howe, Cordner, Crookes, McLaughlin (Hancox 77’), Dyson (Burgess 77’), Pybus (Castro 71’), Kouhyar (Trialist B 77’ (Matshazi), John-Lewis (C), Siziba (Main 71’). Unused Subs: Trialist A (Dickinson)
Goals: Crookes (11’), Siziba (30’, 60’), Pybus (70’)
Tadcaster Albion: Wilton, Owen, McDaid (C), Thirkell, Qualter, Hardcastle, Ahmed, Kitchen, Stephens, Greenway, Kay. Subs (Usage Not Recorded): Roper, Graves, Walters, Holmes, Trialist A, Ibrahimi, Trialist B, Trialist C, Trialist D, Trialist E, Trialist F
Goals: -
City suffered a first pre-season defeat following a 2-1 defeat at Selby Town. Finlay Barnes handed the Minstermen the lead after twenty minutes, but two goals from the hosts saw them turn around the game and run out winners. Mikey Morton named eleven changes from the starting eleven that featured against Tadcaster at the weekend, with four trialists being picked to start.
City started strongly at the Fairfax Plant Hire Stadium and had a great chance to open the scoring after only two minutes, but Finlay Barnes was unable to keep his effort down from going over the bar from close-range after good work down the left by Trialist D. Trialist D then went on to force the Selby Town keeper into a smart low save after getting a shot away from the edge of the area, before a great counter-attack from the Minstermen down the right edge nearly saw them take the lead, but great defence from the hosts saw them clear the ball away for a corner. The Minstermen took the lead twenty minutes into the contest, as Barnes beat the offside trap to score past the Selby keeper with a clever finish, slotting the ball into the bottom-right corner to hand Morton’s side an early advantage. The lead was nearly doubled only a minute later, but after a great low ball into the area from the right, Hancox was only able to put the ball into the side-netting at the far post. City had further chances to double their advantage before the break, but Scott Burgess and Cedric Main were both unable to capitalise on chances presented to them. Selby pulled themselves back into the tier four minutes before the break, with Trialist A being beaten from the edge of the area after hosts capitalised on a loose ball at the back.
City had two great chances to put themselves back in front in the first fifteen minutes of the second half. Firstly, Trialist D forced a smart save from the keeper after an effort from distance, before Trialist B turned an effort narrowly wide of the post with a chance from the edge of the area. The hosts took the lead on the hour mark after an effort from just inside the penalty area, which beat York’s trialist keeper at his right-hand post as it nestled into the back of the net. The Minstermen were unable to find a late equaliser in the game, as the hosts ran out 2-1 winners.
York City: Trialist A (Dickinson), Fallowfield, Trialist B (Porter), Joshua, Larry-Fairweather, Trialist C (Moonan), Burgess, Hancox, Barnes, Main (Henderson 64’), Trialist D (Matshazi). Unused Subs: Whitley, Duckworth, McLaughlin, Pybus, Dyson, Kouhyar
Goals: Barnes (20’)
City returned to winning ways with a 2-1 pre-season friendly win at Farsley Celtic coming from behind after Joao Silva’s opener after 13 minutes, but a goal from Maziar Kouhyar and a second half Lenell John-Lewis penalty saw the City run out as winners. Morton once again named eleven changes to his starting eleven from the one that featured at Selby Town a day earlier with near enough same team that won 4-0 at Tadcaster Albion at the weekend. The only change being Ryan Whitley who came in to start between the sticks. Farsley, included 2 former City players, Clayton Donaldson, their player - manager and defender Tom Allan.
City started the strongest, having the first effort of the evening. Dan Pybus tried his luck from distance, but his effort flew narrowly wide of goal from 25 yards. The hosts took the lead in the 13th minute through Silva’s shot on the turn from the edge of the area which beat Whitley at his left hand post. City didn’t let conceding an early goal go to their heads and they pushed on for an immediate equaliser. Adam Crookes forced a corner after Zan Luk spilled Kouhyar’s initial effort on target, before John-Lewis’ header was met with a smart save from Luk. City levelled four minutes short of the half hour mark when Olly Dyson’s low effort deflected through a body of Farsley defenders into the path of Kouhyar, who beat the goalkeeper from close range. Farsley responded with chances as they looked to retake the lead. Conor Branson headed wide of goal from a free kick, before Donaldson rolled back the years to show his quality in front of goal, but a superb finger tip save from Whitley saw the City goalkeeper turn his curling effort away for a corner.
The hosts thought they’d retaken the lead just short of the hour mark when they got the ball in the back of the net after an attack down the right, but the linesman's flag ruled the goal out for offside. City were awarded a penalty with just over twenty minutes to go after John-Lewis was fouled. The city captain stepped up himself from twelve yards to go bottom left corner and give the City the winner. Morton’s men were nearly three goals to the good only minutes later when Siziba went racing clear through in on goal, but he was denied by a smart save by the Farsley goalkeeper. Substitute Quevin Castro also tried his luck as City searched for a third goal of the evening, but his long range effort from distance was well held by the goalkeeper.
York City: Whitley (G), Duckworth, Howe, Cordner, Crookes, Pybus, McLaughlin, Dyson, Siziba, John-Lewis, Kouhyar (Castro 68’). Unused Subs: Campbell, Fallowfield, Hancox, Burgess, Trialist A, Main, Barnes.
Goals: Kouhyar (26’), (John-Lewis 67’ pen)
Farsley Celtic: Luk (G), Leake, Smith (Milambo 61’), Branson, Missambo, Allan, Blair (Watson 46’), C.Atkinson (B.Atkinson 46’), Donaldson (Allen 70’), Stephenson, Silva (Carroll 46’). Unused Subs: Baptista, Anyiam-Osigwe.
Goals: Silva (13’)
Yellow Cards: Silva
City ended pre-season preparations with a 2-0 defeat at League Two side Accrington Stanley. Mikey Morton’s side matched their Football League opposition for the opening hour at the Wham Stadium, but two goals in the final half-hour saw the hosts run out winners.
York had the ball in the back of the net after only two minutes in Lancashire, but Zanda Siziba’s strike was ruled out for offside by the linesman’s flag. City carried on early pressure in the final third as they looked for an opener and Quevin Castro had a left-footed free-kick from the right-hand side saved by the Accrington goalkeeper, before Maziar Kouhar’s shot from distance was well held by the Accrington shot-stopper. David Stockdale was called into action just short of the half-hour mark when he had to react quick to get off his line to deny Sean McConville from giving the hosts the lead from close-range. City had one final chance to take the lead in Lancashire before the break, but Thierry Latty-Fairweather curled a right-footed effort over the bar from out wide after making a promising break down the left-hand side.
Another clear-cut chance came for Morton’s men, who were unfortunate once again as they looked to take the lead only four minutes after the restart. The ball fell to Dan Pybus on the edge of the area, who curled an effort narrowly wide of the goalkeeper’s left-hand post. Two chances inside a minute then came for City as the clock approached the hour-mark. Half-time substitute Olly Dyson capitalised on a loose-ball in the Accrington defence, before forcing a corner with an effort on goal saved, before the resulting corner saw the ball fall to Paddy McLaughlin on the edge of the area, who curled an effort narrowly over with the outside of his foot. Accrington took the lead in the 61st minute through Korede Adedoyin, who cut inside from the right-hand side before unleashing a low left-footed effort towards goal, which beat Stockdale at his left-hand post. A chance then came for the hosts to double their lead with fifteen minutes to go, but the strike on goal flew over the bar from the edge of the area. Dipo Akinyemi nearly produced a moment of quality for the Minstermen with ten minutes to go after he was introduced from the bench, but he curled a fierce free-kick from 25-yards-out inches wide of the goalkeeper’s left-hand post. The League Two side secured the victory with eight minutes to go as substitute Josh Woods raced through on goal, before beating Stockdale from a tight angle to secure a 2-0 win for the hosts.
York City: Stockdale, Duckworth, Howe (Fallowfield, 54'), Crookes, Latty-Fairweather (Hancox, 76'), McLaughlin (Woodyard, 60'), Castro (Dyson, 46'), Pybus, Siziba (Barnes, 69'), John-Lewis (Akinyemi, 57'), Kouhyar. Unused Sub: Whitley.
Goals: -
Accrington Stanley: Savin, Rich-Baghuelou (Pickles, 46'), Mellor, Coyle (Woods, 74'), Hills, McConville, Nolan (Longelo, 53'), Conneely (Martin, 71'), Hills, Shipley, Andrews (Lowe, 67'). Unused Subs: Trialist A, Whalley, Adedoyin, Quirk, Patrick, O’Brien, Fernandes.
Goals: Adedoyin (61'), Woods (82')
Attendance: 792 (204)
City went down 1-0 to Leeds United Under 21s in a behind closed doors friendly.
York City: Campbell, Fallowfield, Joshua, Latty-Fairweather, Hancox; Woodyard, Castro, Barnes, Hurst, Akinyemi, Siziba. Subs: Unknown.
Goals: -
Leeds U21: TBC.
Goals: TBC.
City drew 3-3 with Hull City Under 21s in a behind closed doors friendly.
York City: TBC.
Goals: -
Hull U21: TBC.
Goals: TBC.