2024/5
... *** THIS PAGE IS WORK IN PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE 2024/5 SEASON *** ... *** THE FINAL ISSUE WILL BE SUMMER 2025. UNTIL THEN, SOME CONTENT / SECTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR WILL REFERENCE PREVIOUS SEASONS *** ...
Season - Preview
Geography Once again, for the 2024/5 season, the National League will be very south east centric, with 12 teams based in an area roughly bounded by Southend, Oxford City and Eastleigh. In the south east, the league gains Sutton and Braintree but loses Bromley, Oxford City, Boreham Wood and Dorking. It also regains its south west contingent with Forest Green Rovers and Yeovil entering from different directions. Elsewhere, City lose the big pay day of a visit from Chesterfield. The league also welcomes Tamworth and Boston for the lose of Kidderminster. York City will travel 7,458 miles across the 2024/5 Vanarama National League season. That is just 7 miles more than the 7,451 miles travelled during the 2023/4 season. Both are less than the 7,908 miles clocked up across the 2022/3 season.
Season Tickets On May 24, 2024/5 season ticket details were announced and a day later, a 10% early bird discount was also announced. The headlines were a price increase to £350 (full price) / £315 ("early bird"), up from £330 / £299 and changes to concession bandwidths (up to 65 (from 60) and down to 16 (from 18)) and a first, a monthly / spread payment (direct debit) option with payment between August and March 2025. Tickets went on sale on Wednesday, June 5th at 10am with the "early bird" discount available until midnight, Sunday July 7th. Season tickets were be purchasable (a YCFC word) online via new system provider Future Ticketing, in-person at the ticket office and over the phone. Supporters looking to renew and retain an existing season ticket seat had until midnight on Sunday July 14th to do so. "Early bird" prices were available to all. For direct debit payments, the arrangement meant a monthly payment, every month, starting in August and finishing in March. A £5 administration charge was added onto the first payment in August. That also applied to paying for a car parking spot on a monthly basis. Over 900 season tickets were sold on the first day (June 5) and reaching 2,001 by June 14. June 30 saw City announce record sales and on July 9 it was announced that 2,549 had been sold.
Kit On May 23 Hummel were announced as City's kit supplier on 3 year deal. Home kit was a red pinstriped shirt remininiscent of the early 1980s, white ("coconut milk@) was the away kit and pink ("cotton candy") was the third kit, excluding keepers, a first for City. All shirts were modelled with navy blue shorts.
Face Painting On August 1, City hosted a well receive open LNER training session. All players and the management team were happy to pose for photos and sign autographs as all parts of the club came together. "Pretty Faces By Lottie" delivered a free face painting to supporters, perhaps Dave Penney was right after all. Open day for the Junior Reds.
Elsewhere Looking around the league, we have seen 3 “proper” Football League clubs promoted in the last 2 seasons, depending on interpretation between a third and one half of the clubs in the 2024/5 National League could be considered in that category. However none would appear to be stand out promotion candidates.
Where will we be on Bank Holiday Monday May 5th when our league season ends at Eastleigh? Predictions vary widely, but it would be good if there are no last day nerves as in recent seasons.
City enjoyed a stable pre-season, the first for several years.
In pre-season, the jury was out regarding City's style of play. Hinsh's strong belief in his passing style saw City concede a couple of soft goals whilst at times, we saw some sparkling attacking play. Maybe at Worthing, Hinsh was allowed some leaway given that he'd been there for around 7 years and had guided them to their highest ever position in the pyramid. Now at a higher level and with City's larger and more demanding supporter, he has less margin for error.
At Worthing, the players seemed to respond well to him and a number moved onto better things. Hinsh seems to be a manager who instills confidence and self belief into his players, witness Alex Hunt's debut under Ardley and the immediate improvement when recalled by Hinsh. Never underestimate the huge difference mindset can make to performance. In recent years, it is easy to recall many players who struggled at City but have gone on to play well at a higher level.
In other news...
The Squad
Squad
By August 1st, City had 32 contracted professionals, including 3 senior pros on long term loans (Cordner, Kouhyar and Dyson), 3 more (Sykes – Kenworthy, Siziba and Latty-Fairweather) who don’t seem to figure in the first team squad and 4 former academy products.
By the time the 2023/4 season retained list was finalised, City had retained 24 players, offered 3 new contracts (all accepted within 9 days) and released 4 players. In addition one scholar had his pro contract extended and 2 more scholars signed their first pro contract.
City have made 9 summer signings, only 2 (Hunt and Aguiar) are believed to have costs fees. However, a fair amount of money will have been spent to pay off the contracts of 7 (Barnes, Campbell, Castro, Davies, Kennedy, Sanders and Woodyard) players.
City enter the new season with the same owner as last season, that hasn’t happened since 2021 which ended with City winning the NLN play of final. It is to be hoped that lessons have been learnt from last summer’s transfer lucky dip. It does seem to be a much more focused approach.
On May 25, City announced 4 signings and Jon Greening started a twittter spat with Matt Uggla.
May 28 saw City hold a behind closed doors trial day at the LNER aimed at players who had played at least step 4 or above, or have come out of an academy.
Speaking in June 2024 on York Hospital Ball, Matt Uggla noted that City’s recruitment had ” multiple targets in each position, with a more measured approach to paying, not just pay what is asked, don't break (pay) structure and find out about player's personality. At a YHB event that month, he was reported as saying, "the club now has a maximum agent fee policy and all agents are told that before any deals are done. It won't be increased for anyone. The club are also trying to establish a potential signing's character, getting more references" and "when the club brings the player in for discussions they now sell him the club and city before even thinking about the financials. They take them into town for dinner, up to the training ground and them give them the stadium tour. The club gets a feel for how the player reacts to all that". He said last pre-season the club "all got fixated on their main targets and were just willing to pay whatever it took. The players knew it, the agents knew it and they got taken to the cleaners". This year, City appeared to have a list of targets and if the player wasn't willing to sign for the right deal, City would move on and look to the next player on the list.
Last season, City suffered an appalling early season injury crisis, this season for pre season game number 5 (Notts County), City's bench was limited to just 5 names, County named 10. It is to be hoped that the twinges and niggles that saw a reduced bench do not develop into full blown injuries. During that game, City used just one sub as Hinsh sought to get 90 minutes into legs.
Given Hinsh’s stated aim that would suggest his squad is near complete. 22 senior pros and 4 academy graduates, maybe room to bring in one or 2. That said, the squad still looks unbalanced. The signing of Cameron John filled a significant hole, the lack of an out and out left back, admittedly there are other players who could fill in. In general, defence looks light in terms of seasoned pros. All told, the squad seems to have an abundance of attacking and wide midfield players. With 7 to be named on the bench (5 subs allowed per game), that should allow plenty of strong options to finish a game.
Compared to last season, City's squad is fewer in numbers, but higher in quality, it is to be hoped that with 5 substitutes allowed from a bench of 7, that is to City's benefit. We will have the ability to bring "starting XI quality" options off the bench to attack tiring defenders. Fast wingers and Lenny in one of his favoured positions as a last 20 minutes finisher. Read more: 5 Subs
Pre-season saw City adopt Hinsh’s preferred style of play. At times there were defensive frailties and a lack of height in defence, up front there was enough to suggest an exciting season.
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Season - Review (WIP, TO START, plus everything else from here) x
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Sadly as ever, during the season, City lost a number of well known personalities, including former manager Alan Little (08/Aug/2024), former players (Peter Popely (03/Aug/2024)) and supporters (Ray Wynn (23/Jul/2024)), xxxxxx xxxx (dd/mm/yy) and xxxxxx xxxx (dd/mm/yy).
Season - Game By Game (WIP)
2024/5 Lineups (last updated 01/Aug/2024).
Watch all season's highlights.
Awards and cards
2024/5 - The Players (TO START WIP)
Away On Loan (wip)
Retained List (wip)
Tyler Cordner Season long loan at Ebbsfleet (NL). On his return at the end of the 2024/5 season, he will still be contracted to City for another full season
Maz Kouhyar Joined Kiddermister Harriers (NLN, Tier 6) in July 2024/5. On his return at the end of the 2024/5 season, he will contracted to City for a few more weeks until June 2025
Agents' Fees (TO DO)
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.
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YCFC Academy (To Start) Once again, for the 2023/4 season, City compete 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.
XXX2024/5 OlLdham replace Chesterfield.
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 means that the Under 18 side are exempt from 2 rounds (Preliminary and 1st Qualifying) of the FA Youth Cup. They'll join the competition in early October.
City's academy players and their profiles.
TO DO In terms of performance, overall 2023/4 was a successful season. The team progressed through the FA Youth Cup qualifying rounds for the first time in 6 seasons before losing 1-0 at Rochdale in Round 1. City were victorious in the Alliance League Cup, beating Woking in the final whilst in the league ..... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxc. However, the perennial problem remains. After releasing all the 2021 intake at the end of the 2021/2 season, this season's 6 "first season" professionals didn't get a minute of first team game action whilst several had loan spells at lower league clubs, mainly tier 8 and 9, suggesting they have some way to go before being first team ready.
Beyond the Under 19 / 18 side, City run a whole series of age group teams.
Home league fixtures were 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 and National League Alliance Cup games are due to be played at the LNER Community Stadium (or another designated home ground). In practice, the home FA Youth Cup tie was played at Selby and home Alliance Cup games at the training ground.
Further Reading: National League Under-19 Alliance website.
2024/5 National League Youth Alliance Date Opponents Competition Venue Result Scorers (and notes) Wed 28/08/24 FC HALIFAX TOWN NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 04/09/24 GUISELEY NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 11/09/24 AFC FYLDE NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 18/09/24 Solihull Moors NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 25/09/24 FARSLEY CELTIC NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 02/10/24 Altrincham NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 09/10/24 BOSTON UNITED NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 16/10/24 CHESTER NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 06/11/24 SOUTH SHIELDS NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 13/11/24 GATESHEAD NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 20/11/24 Blyth Spartans NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 04/12/24 Oldham Athletic NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 08/01/25 Guiseley NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 15/01/25 FC Halifax Town NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 22/01/25 Chester NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 29/01/25 South Shields NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 05/02/25 Gateshead NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 12/02/25 BLYTH SPARTANS NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 12/03/25 OLDHAM ATHLETIC NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 19/03/25 AFC Fylde NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 26/03/25 Hartlepool United NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 02/04/25 Farsley Celtic NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Wed 09/04/25 ALTRINCHAM NLFAU19N H (Training Ground) WDL n-n - Wed 30/04/25 Boston United NLFAU19N A (Ground TBC) WDL n-n - Seasonal analysis to follow ...
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2022/3 FOLLOWS - UPDATE TO 2023/4
On the pitch, it was a largely successful season for City's youth team. The Under 18 side reached Round 1 of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in 6 seasons before going out on penalties at Rochdale. That competition is limited to scholars (the under 18 age group). All other games were played at Under 19 level, so City's 6 youngest professionals were eligible to play in those games.
Scorers: Hernandez (17), Burland (13), Shepherd (13), Ezard (8), Gordon (8), Clayton (6), Harrison (5), Owen (5), Haase (3), Heaton (3), McLoughlin (3), Edenene (2), Lancaster (2),
Algar (1), Dale (1), Pickles (1), Own Goal (2).
Contracts TBC.
Throughout the season, 3 of City's scholars were known to have managed loan spells in "mens' football":
All 6 of City's 19 yer olds ("first season" professionals) also enjoyed loan spells, Ben Dale (Redcar) and Jonny Shepherd (Northallerton) possibly being the ones who made the biggest impressions whilst out on loan.
The age old question remains. When will we see our youth products in our first team?
North Riding Senior Cup (TO DO) 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: -.
City entered the competition in Round 2 (Last 16) in a draw that included Middlesbrough Under 21s and Sacrborough. 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’s opening pre-season test for the 2024/5 season ended in a narrow 2-1 loss to Sheffield United. The Sky Bet Championship outfit visited the LNER Community Stadium for York’s first match of their pre-season schedule, with supporters hoping to see the Minstermen’s newest additions in action for the first time. City wore their pink third choice shirts for the first time.
York had led through Tyrese Sinclair, producing a composed finish to beat Adam Davies from close-range. Sheffield United equalised via Ryan One, with the towering forward pouncing onto a parried save from Harrison Male.
But it would be the Blades who would leave victorious, as Will Osula beat Rory Watson with an expert strike from distance.
Excluding keepers, Dyson, Siziba, Maz and TLF, all believed fit were not involved. Hernandez, Andoh and Harriott not ready.
The triallists were Max MacMillan (son of Andy), winger/ striker, Ben Blythe (ex Swansea youth, defender) and Terell Pennant (Jamaine Pennant's nephew, last played for Coalville Town).
City (First Half): Male 7; Felix 8, Fallowfield 7, Howe 7, Crookes 6; Batty 7, Aguiar 7, Hunt 7; Sinclair 8, Pearce 6, Nathaniel-George 7
City (Second Half): Watson 8; Gravata 6, O’Connor 6, Trialist B (Blythe) 6, McLaughlin 6 (Gibson-Booth, 82); Trialist A (Pennant) 6, Armstrong 7, Chadwick 6, Trialist C 6 (McMillan); John-Lewis 6 (Marshall, 82), Akinyemi 7
Goal: Sinclair (9)
Sheffield United (First Half): Davies, Curtis, Ahmedhodvic, Robinson, Buyabu, Brooks, Souza, Marsh, Traore, One, Peck
Sheffield United (Secondt Half): Grbic, Bogle, Trusty, Freckleton, Sasnauskas, Hampson, Arblaster, Shackleton, Slimane, Osula, Brewster. Subs not used: Faxon, Boyes, Sachdev, Seriki
Goals: One (27), Osula (77)
Attendance: 4,755 (2,193 away)
Referee: Zac Kettle
City earned their first win of their 2024/5 pre-season with a 2-1 triumph over Whitby Town at the Towbar Express Stadium. Second-half strikes from Ollie Pearce and Marvin Armstrong saw York overturn Whitby’s lead from the first-half, after Jake Charles had put the hosts ahead. The game was designated a testimonial game for Whitby's keeper Shane Bland and the teams provided a guard of honour for him as he entered the pitch before kick off.
A midweek trip to the seaside saw Adam Hinshelwood’s side field three academy players in the starting 11, which saw a complete overhaul from the 60th minute onwards. Leon Gibson-Booth (LCB), Bill Marshall (RB) and Mackenzie Crooks (LB) all started for the Minstermen, as well as trialist Max McMillan, who has since been identified by Hinshelwood.
Whitby fielded 5 ex City players, Jaseem Sukar, Aaron Haswell, Jake Charles, Nathan Thomas and Connor Smith.
Former City winger Nathan Thomas, who featured for York in the 2022/23 campaign, started the action for Whitby after curling a strike narrowly wide of Harrison Male’s goal. Thomas was again causing issues down the right-hand side, seeing a teasing cross miss a connection from Charles, before Male comfortably held a tame strike from the Whitby winger. McMillan, the trialist, looked to concern the hosts defence as his low cross was almost met by Pearce, but was thwarted by some strong defending. Stephen Walker produced a nice bit of trickery to evade the challenge of Callum Howe and Gibson-Booth before finding himself in behind, only to again be denied by Male. But with just over half an hour played, it was the Seasiders who took the lead. A dominant spell for Whitby saw Thomas thread a through ball past the City defence and into the path of Charles, with the former Scarborough Athletic attacker showing composure to tuck an effort past Male, despite the shot-stopper getting a touch onto it. A final opportunity of the half fell to Pearce, whose first time volley evaded the Whitby goal.
In the second half, a stronger City side showed their quality early on with Akinyemi bullying his way through the Whitby defence, before squaring an inch-perfect pass into the path of Pearce, with the City striker bagging his first non-competitive goal at the Towbar Express Stadium. With the Minstermen now on level terms, Shane Bland was tested during his testimonial by a McMillan shot that was calmly kept out. Akinyemi was proving a real problem for the hosts defence, after meeting a Crookes pass and skipping past two Whitby men before his strike was blocked by a third. Aaron Haswell scuffed a strike wide from a Whitby corner, before a near post effort from Akinyemi was again parried away by Bland. Tyrese Sinclair would be unfortunate not to find his way onto the scoresheet, but was causing issues for Whitby after winning a free-kick in a dangerous area.
Akinyemi would step up and forced a sublime save from Bland. Billy Chadwick continued to mount the pressure on the Whitby backline with a teasing pass into Sinclair, whose off-balance strike evaded the target. With City now well in control and on the front foot, it was only a matter of time until Hinshelwood’s side would take the lead. A well timed Chadwick cross saw the winger switch a pass into the area, with Armstrong turning his marker and arrowing an effort into the bottom right corner, beating Bland. Dan Batty was hopeful of adding a third, but could scuff a strike into a crowd of bodies, before Sinclair powered the rebound wide of goal. Sinclair again posed a real threat and was denied after expertly maintaining possession on the counter-attack, before Bland produced another impressive stop with his knees. An Akinyemi effort would soon be parried by Bland into the path of an unmarked Sinclair in the area, but his rebound was bravely blocked by the onrushing Whitby backline. Bland and Sinclair would test one another one final time on the evening with a routine stop from the Whitby shot-stopper on his testimonial, before the referee would call time on a battling affair at the seaside.
City: Male (Watson, 60), Marshall (Felix, 60), Howe (Fallowfield, 60), Gibson-Booth (O’Connor, 60), Crooks (Crookes, 46), McLaughlin (Aguiar, 46), Hunt (Armstrong, 60), Trialist A (McMillan) (Batty, 60), Nathaniel-George (Chadwick, 60), John-Lewis (Akinyemi, 46), Pearce (Sinclair, 60). Sub not used: Tate
Goals: Pearce (48), Armstrong (70)
Whitby Town: Bland (Cranston, 87), Smith, Liddle, Sukar, Haswell, Whelan (Fergus, 67), Doherty, Griffiths, Thomas, Charles, Walker (Parkinson, 81). Subs not used: Medcalf, Trialist
Goal: Charles (34)
Attendance: 770
City beat Grimsby Town 2-1 with goals from Billy Chadwick and Lenell John-Lewis.
A bright start for the Minstermen ended with Dipo Akinyemi racing down the right hand side and earning an early corner. It was swung in towards the front of the six yard box before the ball was flicked on into the path of Billy Chadwick at the back post who tapped home to give City a lead after just two minutes. City continued to press Joe Felix’s teasing cross to the back post was seen out for a goal kick (12') and City won the ball on the halfway line by Akinyemi before being played to Marvin Armstrong, who went for goal from the edge of the box, but his low driven effort went into the side netting (17'). Grimsby levelled after 28 minutes from a freak own goal when Ricky Aguiar’s pass back to Rory Watson found it’s way into the bottom right-hand corner. City nearly found an instant response when Trialist A (Cameron John) dispossessed Kieran Green down the left hand side before flashing a cross in front of the face of goal, but Marvin Armstrong couldn’t find the connection on the ball he was looking for as his effort rolled wide of the mark.
The Mariners registered the first chance in the second half when substitute Cameron Gardner went for goal from range, but his effort whistled wide of Watson’s right-hand post. Tyrese Sinclair was next to have a go at goal, his effort from outside the box was easily collected by Jordan Wright in the end. On the 75th minute City re-took the lead when Alex Hunt’s corner found Lenell John-Lewis on the edge of the six yard box, with his bullet header gliding its way past Jake Eastwood. Grimsby looked to respond again as Matty Carson played a cross into the six yard box looking for another man in black and white, but Harrison Male raced off his line to collect. City nearly added a third with five minutes to go, John-Lewis again with the effort but Harvey Rodgers put in a strong block to deny him from inside the box. In the dying seconds Ollie Pearce collected the ball in the Grimsby box before beating his man and landing a shot on goal, but Eastwood was equal to the effort.
Post match, Adam Hinshelwood noted Harriott, Andoh, Crookes (hamstring), Gravata (groin) and GSK all injured. Hernandez previously stated as injured and has not yet featured this season.
City: Watson (Male, 60), Felix (Marshall, 76), Fallowfield, O’Connor (Howe, 60), Trialist A (John) (Gibson-Booth, 65), Armstrong (Hunt, 60), Batty (McLaughlin, 60), Aguiar (Nathaniel-George, 60), Chadwick (Pearce, 60), Akinyem (John-Lewis, 60), Sinclair (Trialist B (McMillan), 72)
Goals: Chadwick (2), John-Lewis (76)
Grimsby Town: Wright (Eastwood, 60), Cass, McJannett (Rodgers, 60), Trialist A, Carson, McEachran (Wilson, 60), Khouri (Thompson, 60), Green (Brown, 60), Trialist B (Ainley, 60), Trialist C, Svanthorsson (Gardner, 46)
Goal: Aguiar own goal (28)
Attendance: 2,332 (692 away)
Referee: Gareth Rhodes
City played out a thrilling 3-3 pre-season friendly draw against Darlington at Blackwell Meadows with goals from Trialist B (Max McMillan), Dipo Akinyemi and Tyrese Sinclair. Adam Hinshelwood took a trimmed down squad to Darlington as we approach full 90 minute game into legs for certain players.
At times, City were brilliant but were largely off the pace for 70 minutes and lost many battles,struggling to cope with a big, strong, physical and direct team.
Darlington managed by Steve Watson fielded ex City players Peter Jameson, Will Hatfield, Cedric Main, Tom Platt, Jonny Haase (as a triallist) and Alex Payne (one of last season's scholars as a triallist). Scott Barrow was away on holiday. Midfelder Payne impressed when he came on as substitute after 42 minutes.
City had an early chance when Alex Hunt’s delivery from a set-piece was put wide by Callum Howe. Billy Chadwick raced onto a direct longball in the 9th minute, striking wide in the end and Ollie Pearce had the clearest chance so far in the 16th minute when he directed a close range header wide. City broke the deadlock in the 20th minute through Trialist B (McMillan) when his right footed, curling strike bounced in off Pete Jameson’s left hand post to give York the lead. He went close again three minutes later when hitting a left footed effort high and wide. Keeper Harrison Male was called into action in the 28th minute when an acrobatic bicycle kick effort was tipped wide by the stopper. Male denied Darlington again six minutes later when they broke away through the impreesive Jack Maskell, who spotted Male off his line. The forward tried to curl an effort around City’s keeper, but Male dove to palm for a corner. Maskell rose highest to the incoming delivery, hitting his header straight at Male. Darlington levelled the game up just before half time. Howe's challenge gave Will Hatfield an attacking set piece to go at, which they did. The shot crashed off the crossbar before dropping down into Male's net.
The hosts came quickly out the blocks after half time, turning the game around by the 49th minute. Trialist B’s clumsy challenge allowed Cedric Main to convert from the spot. Jarrett Rivers came close to adding another onto Darlington’s lead in the 63rd minute when his shot bounced off the post from inside the area and into Male who gathered. Half time substitution Dipo Akinyemi did have a number of half chances in the second half, but striking wide on most. The attacker's goal did come, prodding in a 71st minute equaliser after receiving the ball at close range following a set piece. Tyrese Sinclair edged City into the lead shortly after. Initially chasing the ball down to the corner flag, he drove inwards before a one two with Pearce allowed him to get in front of the Darlington defence and hammer past Jameson into the far side of the net. A second penalty was conceded minutes later after the referee deemed Rory Watson’s ball winning punch to be a penalty. Main again converted for the hosts. City played out the final ten minutes with ten men after Leon Gibson-Booth left the field through injury.
City: Male (65, Watson); Felix (46, O’Connor), Howe, Trialist A (John) (65, Fallowfield), Gibson-Booth (inj, 81); Marshall (56, Aguiar), McLaughlin (65, Sinclair), Hunt (65' Batty); Trialist B (McMillan) (56, Armstrong), Pearce, Chadwick (46, Akinyemi). Unused Subs: -
Goals: Trialist B (McMillan) (20), Akinyemi (71), Sinclair (71)
Darlington: Jameson, Hedley, Platt, Blythe, Hatfield (68 Haase), Maskell, Main, Rivers, Salkeld (42 Payne), Leesley, Cornish (46 Forbes). Unsed Subs: McGrath, Harker, Small, Maw.
Goals: Hatfield (44), Main (49p, 74p)
Attendance: 858
City drew 2-2 with League Two side Notts County in their final LNER Community Stadium pre-season friendly fixture. Adam Hinshelwood’s squad has progressed fitness wise to see out a 90 minute pre-season friendly with 10 players playing the full game. City named 5 subs whilst County named 10.
Notts County took the lead after 5 minutes when Jodi Jones converted by slamming the ball into the roof of the net after receiving a pass from an in direct free-kick after indecisive play by City. City sprung a strong counter in the 20th minute when Alex Hunt blocked an initial shot from Dan Crowley before York got going, Ollie Pearce took it all the way until squaring across for Marvin Armstrong, who couldn’t quite reach the ball to make a connection towards goal. Hunt sparked City into a counter again down the left-hand flank three minutes later. Joe Felix chased before switching to Billy Chadwick on the right. He hit a shot from the edge of the area which was blocked away by the Notts defender. Harrison Male denied Aaron Nemane from close-range in the 26th minute turning away his shot by a save with his foot. Notts County doubled their lead on 42 minutes when Nemane got in behind down the right hand flank, beating York’s high defensive line before squaring for Alassana Jatta to tuck home.
The Minstermen opened the second half slowly, but soon found their place in the game. Dipo Akinyemi drew a save from Alex Bass after a speculative effort was handled by the County shot stopper before Chadwick had York back in the game in the 55th minute. Pearce’s driving run down the left hand flank concluded with a lay off to the forward who smartly curled into the far top corner. Harrison Male had to keep Notts County out seconds after, denying Cedwyn Scott’s thunderous shot at his right-hand hear post. York equalised in the 69th minute through Pearce, who setup the first. Marvin Armstrong slipped through Chadwick down the right, who travelled inwards before squaring to Pearce who swept his shot home. Akinyemi had clear sight at goal four minutes later but frustratingly hit his short wide of Bass’ left-hand post. City pressed well towards the conclusion of the game to find a winner. Armstrong did well to retain the ball in the 86th minute, but fired over after finding a sight at goal in a congested area.
Post match, in response to a question, Adam Hinshewood indicated all the rest of his squad were unavailable, some (incuding Tyrese Sinclair with tendinitis in his knee) had niggles and could have played if required. He indicated ANG and LJL could be available in time for Southend.
City: Male, Fallowfield, O’Connor, Howe, Hunt, Akinyemi, Pearce, Armstrong, Batty (61 Aguiar), Chadwick, Felix. Unused Subs: Watson, McLaughlin, Gravata, Marshall.
Goals: Chadwick (55), Pearce (69)
Notts Co: Bass, Bedeau (70 Reynolds), Crowley, Austin (70 McDonald), Jones (70 Edwards), Nemane (70 McGoldrick), Scott (70 Cundy), Robertson (31 Trialist A), Macari (70 Chicksen), Jatta (70 Gordon), Platt. Unuse Subs: Slocombe, Stone.
Goals: Jones (55), Jatta (42)
Attendance: 2,131 (532 Notts County supporters)
Garforth started the game strongly. Matt Antcliff drew a save from George Sykes-Kenworthy before the hosts won back to back corners minutes later. At the other end,
Zanda Siziba showed early flashes of quality down the right flank, his turn of pace allowed the winger to cross into the path of Leone Gravata who just missed out on the ball. Then he slotted the ball through the Garforth defender’s legs before bursting into the area and hitting a shot on target at Harry Flatters. An audacious effort from inside Garforth’s own half nearly caught City out. Jason Davis hit but the shot bounced early and over the bar in the end. Young forward Harvey Hope won York an attacking free kick just outside the area in the 27th minute. Siziba’s set piece hit the target but it was routine for Flatters in the end. Antcliff went up the other end inside the same minute, slicing wide at Sykes-Kenworthy’s left-hand post after a counter attack. The hosts took the lead in the 34th minute when they worked it well inside the area before Antcliff’s left footed effort curled into the far side of the net. Bailey Wilson’s 42nd minute effort was arguably The Minstermen’s best shot of the half. A ball roll in a tight space before hammering at the near post, pulling a save, gaving City a corner.
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions from both sides. It took the young City side until the 58th minute to really work the opposition’s keeper when Bill Marshall’s pinpoint cross picked out Wilson at the back post, with his header nearly catching out the wrong footed goalkeeper. A square ball across Garforth’s box in the 73rd minute teased the York side as no one could connect with the ball to convert. Further half chances followed minutes later for the Minstermen, with shots blocked away inside the area. Garforth doubled up their advantage in the 82nd minute. Substitute Mo Fadera cut in from the left flank before converting with a right-footed shot into the far side of the net.
Levi Andoh made his return after nearly a year out with injury, whilst lacking match sharpness, it was an encouraging return before his planned withdrawal after nearly 30 minutes, appearing none the worse for his run out.
City: Sykes-Kenworthy (Taylor 67); Andoh (Tate 28), Shirley, Crooks, Latty-Fairweather (Djikingue 58); McLaughlin ( c ), Marshall, Wilson; Siziba (Glynn 46), Hope, Gravata (Farrar 54). Unused Subs: -.
Goals: -
Garforth Town: Flatters, Zachariou (Peltier 76), Jeff, Ball, Viggars (Bauer 67), Barkway, Marshall (Fadera 67), Davis, Antcliff (Cable 67', Barker (Trialist A 88), Smith (Burgess 83). Unused Subs: Zealand, Wells.
Goals: Antcliff (34), Fadera (82)
Attendance: 866
City drew 3-3 against Spennymoor Town in the final pre-season friendly fixture. The Minstermen had the lead in both halves, but hosts Spennymoor Town took to the task to mount comebacks in a competitive final friendly.
Marvin Armstrong gave York an early lead in the 12th minute after good work on the right flank by Ricky Aguiar and Joe Felix concluded in a cross slipped through to Armstrong at the back post, who tapped home. Tyrese Sinclair found himself on the end of several physical challenges throughout the occasion. A 19th minute free-kick from the winger looked to test Brad James, however a routine save put an end to the set-piece shot. City doubled up on their advantage in the 22nd minute. Felix was again involved in creating the goal, which saw Lenell John-Lewis leap highest and guide it in at the far post. A superb stop by James denied John-Lewis his second not long after. The forward again connected on a Felix cross, bulleting a header into the gut of the Spennymoor keeper. The hosts had their route back in after a 32nd minute penalty decision allowed captain Glen Taylor to score from the spot. Male got a hand to it, but the power just pushed through the hand and into the net. Chances for both sides fall during the game following the goal. Sinclair had an effort beat away by James before Male tipped Rob Ramshaw’s volley wide. Just before the interval, good work down the left flank by Spennymoor resulted in Taylor opening up and firing the game level.
Midfielder Alex Hunt clipped a free kick into the Spennymoor wall in the 55th minute, after initially winning it. Lovely work around the host’s box just needed the finishing touch in the 61st minute. Billy Chadwick squared across to Ollie Pearce, who tried to flick a shot into the far side of the net. Dipo Akinyemi picked up on the move before laying off to Felix, who couldn’t finish it off for City. Spennymoor picked up on loose play eight minutes later. Matty Dolan curled a tame effort into the path of Male after the hosts won the ball high up the pitch. Chadwick nodded Adam Hinshelwood’s side back into the lead in the 71st minute when Aguiar’s set piece was flicked up and in by Chadwick. Taylor had his hat trick in the game four minutes later. A soft penalty allowed Spennymoor’s skipper to convert again.
Ramshaw clipped the crossbar in the closing minutes, nearly giving Spennymoor the victory.
City: Watson (Male, 16), Felix (Fallowfield, 46), Howe (O’Connor, 46), Crookes, John (McLaughlin, 78), Batty (Hunt, 46), Aguiar, Armstrong, Sinclair (Gravata, 78), John-Lewis (Pearce, 46), Nathaniel-George (Chadwick, 46). Unused Subs: Gibson-Booth, Marshall.
Goals: Armstrong (12), John-Lewis (22), Chadwick (71)
Spennymoor Town: James, Ross, Rowe, Ledger (Beals, 57'), Staunton, Dolan (Howard, 82'), Dyson (Luck, 79'), Fletcher (Trialist, 86'), Ramshaw, Taylor (Trialist, 82'), Trialist (McKeown, 57'). Unused Subs: Johnson, Harris, Myers.
Goals: Taylor (33p, 44, 74p)
Attendance: 724
Referee: Andrew Miller