York City fell to defeat to a strong Championship side in Sheffield United this evening in our third pre-season fixture.
The first chance of the game came in the 8th minute when Sheffield United had a chance to shoot from the edge of the box. Louie Marsh struck the ball, but it was deflected into the path of Harrison Male, who dived low to make the stop.
City felt hard done by when Alex Newby went down in the box with nothing given. This came off an Ollie Pearce left-footed shot from inside the box, which was well blocked by United.
The visitors swung back with a chance of their own. A header from Jack Robinson hitting the left-hand post.
However, just moments later, United had their breakthrough. A cross swung to the edge of the six-yard box was headed on by Anel Ahmedhodzic and past Male.
They doubled their lead a minute later when a ball played through to Andre Brooks was collected by the winger, who turned to shoot at goal, and he buried his shot past Male.
City were not going down without a fight. Tyrese Sinclair, in a move that caught United on the break, saw his shot from range loop over the crossbar.
Sheffield United were flexing their talent and came inches away from adding a third. Ahmedhozic again with an effort from close range, but Male pulled off a fantastic save to deny him before the rebound from Callum O’Hare was tipped over the bar.
The third did come on the stroke of half time when some neat footwork allowed Tyrese Campbell with room to shoot and he made no mistake of slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Sheffield United made a full eleven switch at half time, which saw them score a fourth goal in the 49th minute. Ryan One with a left-footed shot from inside the box.
Male was once again called into action when Gus Hamer struck a shot direct from a free kick, but he was well kept out by a save which tipped the ball onto the post.
This game was far from over, and that became apparent when Alex Hunt placed a shot into the top left-hand corner directly from a free kick to grab one back for City.
City felt a spring in their step and clinched a second goal shortly after when a corner swung in was met by the head of Ryan Fallowfield, who placed a header into the back of the net.
United were eager to restore their three-goal cushion and did just that when Kieffer Moore buried an effort past George Sykes-Kenworthy.
Sheffield United rounded off the day when Ryan One bagged his second of the afternoon with another shot from outside the box.
York will face Barnsley next Tuesday in our final home pre-season fixture.
Attendance: 3,410.
