Image by Tom Poole
York City won 2-1 against FC Halifax Town at The Shay Stadium in the Vanarama National League on Saturday afternoon.
Two late goals in additional time from Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Ollie Pearce sent City top of the league after a superb turnaround in West Yorkshire.
Manager Adam Hinshelwood made three changes to the side which stung The Bees midweek.
The injured trio of Dipo Akinyemi, Callum Harriott and Cameron John all dropped out, replaced by Ryan Fallowfield, Tyrese Sinclair and loanee forward Luca Thomas for his first start.
Ollie Pearce and Marvin Armstrong combined for an early chance on the 8th minute from inside the area, only to be denied by Ryan Galvin’s goal line block.
FC Halifax Town took the lead just six minutes later when Jamie Cooke squeezed in an effort at Harrison Male’s near post on the counter.
Pearce gently rolled a shot goal bound in the 16th minute as The Minstermen looked for an instant equaliser, but it was quickly claimed by Sam Johnson.
Armstrong planted a header low off the post after 29 minutes when Tyrese Sinclair’s pin-point delivery in the middle hung up in the air perfectly.
Neither side put up any further clear cut chances during the first 45 minutes.
Jo Cummings flicked a header wide following a Florent Hoti set piece, and Male was alert to danger in the 36th minute to rush out and tighten up space before forward Billy Waters could shoot unchallenged.
Defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott steered a chance wide of the post from close range minutes into the second half.
It was Male’s time to shine during large spells of the second half.
Our shot-stopper was on hand to prevent several chances from progressing any further, denying Jack Evans, Hoti, Adan George, Waters and Cooke in a seven minute period.
Male prevented substitute Tom Pugh late on after he was slipped through by Andrew Oluwabori in the end-to-end affair, with Pearce heading up to glance wide just a minute after.
Winger Mo Fadera looked to have struck a dipping equaliser in the 90+1st minute, however the deflection just carried the shot over the bar and out for a corner.
The Minstermen converted from that very corner as Dan Batty’s delivery bounced through the box for Fagan-Walcott to hammer in.
City supporters were treat with further scenes just four minutes into additional time later.
A free kick routine on the edge of the box involving a Hunt and Batty one-two at the delivery stage, Callum Howe on the header back across the area, and Ollie Pearce applying the finishing touch went to perfection.
The victory put Adam Hinshelwood and the side top of the Vanarama National League, with The Minstermen heading into Emirates FA Cup action.
FC HALIFAX TOWN: Johnson (C), Cummings, Galvin (55′ Adetoro), Senior, Evans, Cooke (68′ Oluwabori), Smith, Hoti, George (78′ Emmerson), Waters (83′ Pugh), High.
UNUSED SUBS: Ford, Sutcliffe, Jenkins.
YORK CITY: Male, Fallowfield (67′ Aguiar), Howe (C), Sinclair (67′ Chadwick), Hunt, Pearce, Armstrong (54′ Nathaniel-George), Batty, Felix, Fagan-Walcott, Thomas (77′ Fadera).
UNUSED SUBS: Watson, Crookes, McLaughlin.
ATTENDANCE: 3,961 (2,225 York City supporters)