Photo by Tom Poole
York City went five unbeaten on Saturday afternoon, securing a massive three points with a 3-2 win away at Brackley Town.
The first chance fell to Michael Nottingham when the ball fell to him from a Brackley corner. His shot from point blank range was well kept out by Harrison Male.
City’s first chances came after ten minutes. Alex Newby with a shot from the edge of the box but his effort was blocked.
Brackley keeper Jonny Maxted was called into action moments later. Mark Kitching’s cross was met by the right-boot of Josh Stones who glanced at the ball but Maxted stook out his left-glove to somehow tip the ball over the bar.
York took the lead after 17 minutes. Another Kitching cross picked out Greg Olley inside the box who hit his shot first time, placing the ball past Maxted and into the bottom left-hand corner.
Brackley took just ten minutes to find their equaliser. Kyle Morrison with a shot from inside the box was superbly saved by Harrison Male but the rebound fell to Morgan Roberts who drilled the ball into the right-hand corner.
The hosts took the lead in the 36th minute. A cross from the left was met by a towering header by Michael Nottingham who leaped above everyone to steer the ball home.
In another turn of events City drew level on the stroke of half time. Alex Newby’s cross bounced all the way to the back-post and there was Josh Stones to make the crucial connection onto the ball to place the ball in the net.
Kitching had the first chance of the second half. His shot from range was easily collected by Maxted.
Brackley’s ariel threat continued from another corner in the second half. Captain Gareth Dean this time from inside the box but some good defending from City saw the ball out for a goal-kick.
Alex Hunt went for a trademark long range effort, this shot flew just wide of the right-hand post in the 60th minute.
The game was turned on it’s head once more. Sub Hiram Boateng with a ball into Hunt who’s touch fell into the path of Ollie Pearce from the edge of the box who drilled the ball into the bottom right-hand corner to give City the lead once more.
York were looking for a killer fourth goal and came close with five minutes to go. Ben Brookes’ long ball was caught onto by Stones who went for goal from inside the box but his shot was tipped over by Maxted.
Maxted was called upon once more minutes later to deny Stones again from inside the box, the strikers low driver shot kept out by the keepers legs.
City had another chance to wrap up the game. Pearce with a though ball to Hunt but the no.8’s shot from inside the box was saved well by Maxted again.
Brackley Town: Maxted, Price (Waldron 78′), Morrison, Dean, Roberts, Lowe, Nottingham, Donawa (Pollock 78′), Byrne, Hall (Newton 67′), Haynes (Calder 78′).
Subs not used: Gregory, Lyttle, Stewart.
York City: Male, Kitching, Fallowfield, Fagan-Walcott, Hunt, Stones, Pearce, Batty, Olley (Boateng (68′), Felix (Grey 68′), Newby (Brookes 80′).
Subs not used: Sykes-Kenworthy, Nathaniel-George, Hewitt, Farrar.
Attendance: 1,144 (461 away)
