Image by Matthew Appleby
York City drew 3-3 against Spennymoor Town in their final pre-season friendly fixture on Saturday afternoon.
The Minstermen had the lead in both halves, but hosts Spennymoor Town took to the task to mount comebacks in a competitive final friendly.
Marvin Armstrong gave York an early lead in the 12th minute. Work through the right flank by Ricky Aguiar and Joe Felix concluded in a cross slipped through to Armstrong at the back post, who tapped home.
Tyrese Sinclair found himself on the end of several physical challenges throughout the occasion. A 19th minute free-kick from the winger looked to test Brad James, however a routine save put an end to the set-piece shot.
York doubled up on their advantage in the 22nd minute. Felix again involved in creating the goal, which saw Lenell John-Lewis leap highest and guide it in.
A superb stop by James denied John-Lewis his second not long after. The forward again connected on a Felix cross, bulleting a header into the gut of the Spennymoor shot-stopper.
The hosts had their route back in after a 32nd minute penalty decision allowed captain Glen Taylor to score from the spot. Male got a hand to it, but the power just pushed through the hand and into the net.
Chances for both sides fall during the game following the goal. Sinclair had an effort beat away by James before Male tipped Rob Ramshaw’s volley wide.
Just before the interval, good work down the left flank by Spennymoor resulted in Taylor opening up and firing the game level.
Midfielder Alex Hunt clipped a free-kick into the Spennymoor wall in the 55th minute, after initially winning it.
Lovely work around the host’s box just needed the finishing touch in the 61st minute. Billy Chadwick squared across to Ollie Pearce, who tried to flick a shot into the far side of the net. Dipo Akinyemi picked up on the move before laying off to Felix, who couldn’t finish it off for York.
Spennymoor picked up on loose play eight minutes later. Matty Dolan curled a tame effort into the path of Male after the hosts won the ball high up the pitch.
Chadwick nodded Adam Hinshelwood’s side back into the lead in the 71st minute. Aguiar’s set-piece was flicked up and in by Chadwick.
Taylor had his hattrick in the game four minutes later. A soft penalty allowed Spennymoor’s skipper to convert again.
Ramshaw clipped the crossbar in the closing minutes, nearly giving Spennymoor the victory.
York City’s pre-season schedule is concluded, with Southend United next up in the Vanarama National League.
SPENNYMOOR: James, Staunton, Ross, Rowe, Fletcher (86′ Trialist), Taylor (C) (82′ Trialist), Ramshaw, Dyson (79′ Luck), Ledger (57′ Beals), Trialist (57′ McKeown), Dolan (82′ Howard).
UNUSED SUBS: Johnson, Harris, Myers.
YORK CITY: Watson (16′ Male), Crookes, Howe (46′ O’Connor), Sinclair (78′ Gravata), Nathaniel-George (46′ Pearce), John-Lewis (46′ Akinyemi), Armstrong (46′ Chadwick), Batty (46′ Hunt), Aguiar, Felix (46′ Fallowfield), John (78′ McLaughlin).
UNUSED SUBS: Marshall, Gibson-Booth.
ATTENDANCE: 724