York City 1
(Hurst, 72′)
United 0
United went down to defeat at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday, as a single second-half goal decided the match in York’s favour.
Despite more than matching their opponents for most of the game, a breakaway goal from Alex Hurst punished Gary Johnson’s side, leaving them to head home without any reward for their efforts.
The Gaffer made three changes to the starting line-up that lost out to Maidenhead last time out, with Ryan Hanson, Brett McGavin and new signing Chinwike Okoli taking the places of Ben Wyatt, Kieron Evans and Ross Marshall respectively, whilst another new boy, Dillon De Silva started on the bench.
It was the hosts who applied much of the early pressure, with skipper Lenell John-Lewis glancing a header narrowly wide, after getting on the end of Maz Kouhyar’s third minute cross.
As the game approached the 15 minute mark, debutant Okoli saw a volley at goal blocked, before Will Goodwin seized upon the rebound to fire the ball into home goalkeeper Ethan Ross’ palms.
York responded promptly, with Kouhyar’s shot looping dangerously following a challenge from Gulls captain Dean Moxey, however, the ever-reliable Mark Halstead was on hand to tip the deflected effort over the crossbar.
United’s poor luck with injuries once again struck in the 19th minute, with Dan Martin this time the unfortunate man to leave the field early. It did though, provide young winger De Silva with an earlier than expected introduction into proceedings.
Johnson’s men continued to soak up a number of dangerous attacks from the Minstermen, however they were unable to penetrate their well-drilled opponents.
In the closing moments of the first half, the two sides went close to breaking the deadlock, with Moxey’s low cross allowing Scott Smith to send in a low drive – that went just wide – before Halstead made an excellent save to deny Olly Dyson, who reacted quickest to a John-Lewis ball.
Scoreless at the break, and it remained a closely fought encounter after the break.
Aaron Jarvis, fresh from scoring his first goal for the Club on Tuesday was again at the centre of most things in United’s attack, playing the ball for Okoli – up from the attack for McGavin’s set-piece – to fire a low shot at Ross on 57 minutes, before going close himself midway through the half.
A delightful through-ball from Tom Lapslie saw Jarvis bearing down on goal, but just when it looked as though United’s centre-forward was about to open the scoring, Ross came to his side’s rescue with a brave save.
At that stage, United were in charge – but just as had happened in the dying stages on Tuesday, they were almost instantly dealt a sucker-punch.
After Shaun Donnellan was dispossessed in the centre circle on 72 minutes, Hurst made the most of the opportunity by driving towards goal, before rifling his effort low past Halstead to give his side a somewhat fortuitous advantage.
Worse nearly followed minutes later, however on this occasion, there was some relief as an Assistant’s flag ruled out John-Lewis’ strike to keep the deficit at just one goal.
Jarvis again seemed to be the most likely source of a goal, heading a Smith cross just wide with 14 minutes to go, before sending another aerial effort past the post from McGavin’s corner with nine minutes left on the clock.
Time was against The Gulls, but they refused to give in.
Asa Hall had only been on the pitch for a matter of seconds before going within inches of levelling the scores, before watching as his precise volley tipped wide by Ross.
Torquay continued to push forward in search of a last-gasp equaliser, but sadly the ball wouldn’t quite break for them inside the box, as City just about held on for a victory.
York City: 1. Ethan Ross, 2. Ryan Fallowfield, 4. Max Kouogun, 7. Alex Hurst, 8. Olly Dyson, 11. Maz Kouhyar, 12. Alex Whittle, 14. Lenell John-Lewis (c), 17. Sam Sanders, 19. Dan Pybus, 21. Gus Mafuta (16. Mitch Hancox, 81′).
SUBS NOT USED: 18. Ryan Whitley (GK), 20. AJ Greaves, 22. Nathan Thomas, 23. Luke James.
Yellow Cards: Kouogun, 57′
United: 1. Mark Halstead, 3. Dan Martin (27. Dillon De Silva, 19′), 4. Tom Lapslie, 5. Ali Omar, 7. Ryan Hanson (16. Shaun Donnellan, HT), 9. Aaron Jarvis, 14. Brett McGavin, 19. Will Goodwin, 21. Dean Moxey (c) (8. Asa Hall, 85′), 29. Chinwike Okoli, 36. Scott Smith.
SUBS NOT USED: 22. Rhys Lovett (GK), 23. Ollie Tomlinson.
Yellow Cards: De Silva, 53′, Smith, 55′
Attendance: 4,339 (251 away)