Match Report | Biggleswade FC 1-3 York City

Image by Matthew Appleby.

York City won 3-1 against Biggleswade FC in the Emirates FA Cup to book their spot in the First Round.

A brace from Ollie Pearce, alongside a singular goal from Dipo Akinyemi, wrapped up the occasion in the end for The Minstermen.

Adam Hinshelwood made four changes to the side which started against Woking in Vanarama National League action seven days prior.

Rory Watson, Tyrese Sinclair, Billy Chadwick and Cameron John all started in place of Harrison Male, Callum Harriott, Ricky Aguiar and Malachi Fagan-Walcott.

Ollie Pearce tucked home in the eighth minute to break the deadlock initially, however hosts Biggleswade FC hit back just five minutes later.

Amir Hadi pulled out a backheel after Adam Hunt’s delivery from the right went into the area and fall to the forward.

After good work around Biggleswade’s box, Dipo Akinyemi’s left footed curling effort clipped up and over off he cross bar.

A minute later, Biggleswade looked to take the lead. Hadi’s effort from inside the area was scuffed at goal in the end, with Adam Hunt also arrowing wide of the far post after advancing down the right flank.

Alex Hunt’s short corner nearly resulted in the midfielder striking clean at goal from the edge of the box, but a Biggleswade body deflected the chance for an easy save.

Adam Hinshelwood’s side took the lead seconds before the half time whistle was due.

Ryan Fallowfield’s initial ball down the right flank unlocked Pearce, who expertly picked out Akinyemi inside the area for 2-1.

A slower start to the second half followed. Biggleswade produced the first real moment of the half when Peter Holmes lashed a volley wide from City’s edge of their box.

Hadi found an opening on the 60th minute mark after work down the left flank, but a City man was over to block the opportunity away.

The Minstermen went direct with their 65th minute corner as Hunt delivered, only for Akinyemi to plant a header wide.

Biggleswade FC shot-stopper George Rose pushed a close range effort from Ollie Pearce onto the bar in the 74th minute, when Joe Felix’s cross into the middle invited the forward to pounce.

Rose was also on hand to prevent Hunt’s 84th minute direct free-kick from hitting the back of the net.

Pearce notched his brace, and put any doubt to bed, in the 89th minute.

After Akinyemi picked out substitute Callum Harriott down the left flank, the winger’s cross into the middle was bundled in by our number ten.

Despite a two goal gap, defender Fallowfield was on hand to swipe away Lee Northfield’s chance from just outside of goal.

The Emirates FA Cup First Round draw will take place on Monday, October 14th at Bradford City’s University of Bradford Stadium, and will be broadcast live on BBC Two from 7pm.

York City will be ball number 57.

BIGGLESWADE FC: Rose, Hunt, Wedd, Marsh (C), Skyers, Hayford, Holmes (86′ Kessel), Martucci, Hadi (78′ Bond), McCafferty (73′ Bailey), Simpson (86′ Northfield).

UNUSED SUBS: Oswick, Tilson, Tope.

YORK CITY: Watson, Fallowfield, Howe, Sinclair (65′ Armstrong), Hunt (90′ McLaughlin), Akinyemi (90+3′ Hernandez), Pearce, Batty (77′ Aguiar), Chadwick (58′ Harriott), John, Felix.

UNUSED SUBS: Male.

ATTENDANCE: 1,180