Photo by Adam Davy
York City advanced into the first round of the Emirates FA Cup in dramatic fashion following an Alex Newby brace.
The opening period of the game offered no clear chances. Alex Newby with a lofted ball into the box, only to be hooked away by Ethan Ebanks-Landell.
Rochdale registered the first shot of the game when a cross in from the right was met by the boot of Devante Rodney, who swung at goal but could only guide his shot wide of the mark.
The next chance came in the 28th minute. Hiram Boateng going for goal from the edge of the box, only to be denied by a strong block by the Rochdale back line.
Just moments later and Ollie Pearce was handed a golden chance when the ball fell kindly to him in the box. He guided his shot goalwards only to be denied by a great save by Jackson Smith.
Greg Olley teed up Pearce for another shot minutes later but from a tight angle his shot was once again saved by Smith.
Ryan East let fly for the hosts from outside the box but his effort rattled the stanch behind the goal.
Olley had a shot of his own just before half time but his shot from inside the box was deflected wide.
Alex Newby had the first chance of the second half but his left-footed shot flew just over the bar.
Newby gave city the lead in sublime fashion in the 55th minute. Dan Batty’s corner getting deflected to the number 30 who volley the ball first time, firing the ball past Smith and into the net.
Rochdale were in search of an instant cross but were denied by a great tackle in the six-yard box, preventing Mani Dieseruvwe with a chance to shoot.
The hosts levelled the game up with 18 to play. Mani Dieseruvwe with a shot from the near post, squeezing the ball past Harrison Male and into the net.
Pearce had another great chance in the closing stages when he latched onto an Alex Hunt through ball but he could only drag his shot wide of the post.
The final chance of the game once again fell to Newby. The wingers turn and shot towards goal squirming under the diving Smith and into the net to send City through in the dying minutes.
Rochdale AFC: Smith, Gordon, East, Ebanks-Landell, Gilmour, Dieseruvwe, Rodney, Adebayo-Rowling, Barlow, Berkoe, Beckwith.
Subs: Gomez, Mancini, Amantachi, Pettit, Burger, McBride, Moss, Smith.
York City: Male, Kitching, Fagan-Walcott, Palmer, Fallowfield, Pearce, Grey, Boateng, Olley, Batty, Newby.
Subs: Sykes-Kenworthy, Felix, Sinclair, Brookes, Hunt, McLaughlin, Banks.
Attendance: 2981.
