Match Report | Wealdstone 0-2 York City

Image by Tom Poole

York City won 2-0 against Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale in the Vanarama National League on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Adam Hinshelwood made three changes to the side which beat Dagenham & Redbridge away from home seven days prior.

Goalkeeper Rory Watson, forward Ollie Pearce defender Darragh O’Connor all come in for Harrison Male, Dipo Akinyemi and Cameron John.

A deep free kick delivered by Alex Hunt drew Wealdstone goalkeeper Archie Matthews out of his block early doors, rushing out to tip away the dead ball delivery which was swinging away from goal.

The Minstermen’s wall stood firm in the ninth minute, blocking away Luke Dreher’s shot from a free kick before he sliced at the rebound.

York had the opening goal three minutes later through Ashely Nathaniel-George.

The winger cut inside from the left-flank, digging the ball from underneath his feet to launch a bullet into the top corner on his right foot.

Captain Callum Howe looked to flick York City in a second at the near post in the 17th minute, but the effort resulted in a City corner.

Wealdstone’s Dom Hutchinson worked hard to earn a 20th minute corner from the left flank.

Mason Barrett connected on the resulting corner, guiding a free header straight into the path of Rory Watson.

Dan Batty had eyes on a long range prize in the 32nd minute, opening up and unleashing an effort just over the bar.

Micah Obiero did roll the ball into City’s net, but had it ruled out by the assistant referee.

Substitute Malachi Fagan-Walcott found similar fate after he won an aerial duel on a corner delivery before heading over the bar.

Sinclair had a great chance at the end of the half to double City’s advantage, connecting onto a ball from half way by Batty to steer a tame effort at goal.

The winger went again just after the interval, opening up from the left flank and sending a deflected shot dropping just the wrong side of the far post.

Stones substitute Henry Sandat looked to make an instant impact too, turning and thumping a shot hard and wide from distance.

Forward Ollie Pearce topped up his fine start to the season in the 52nd minute, bagging his third of the season and York’s second in the game.

The ball initially went through the middle for Sinclair, who was wiped out by two Stones players, before Pearce picked up on the loose ball and calmly doubled the lead.

City had Stones on the ropes, calling Matthews into a double save just two minutes later.

Nathaniel-George and Sinclair combined, enabling the latter to take aim on the edge of the area and draw a save.

The follow up header from Nathaniel-George was beat away by Matthews just seconds later.

Watson pulled out arguably the save of the season so far in the 59th minute, producing a strong right arm to deny Wealdstone a way back into the game from close distance.

Our shot-stopper was down again to deny three minutes later, preventing a low-drilled curling cross from finding its way in.

Obiero was next to be prevented by Watson, who gathered the strike with ease in the 71st minute.

Howe continued to prove his aerial dominance two minutes later on a right flank delivery, winning a header in the air and striking the cross bar from close range.

Substitute Lenell John-Lewis was unable to add to his cracking start to the campaign, dragging an 84th minute effort wide.

The returning Callum Harriott received minutes towards the closing stages and immediately showed his pace, driving forward and curling a shot with his left foot.

York City are next in action on Tuesday night where they return home to the LNER Community Stadium to face Braintree Town (7.45pm kick off), with tickets on sale online now.

WEALDSTONE: Matthews, Cook, Barrett (56′ Mason), Boldewijn, Obiero, Dreher (46′ Sandat), Hutchinson (75′ Georgiou), Mariappa (C), Ashford (39′ McFarlane), Cesay (75′ Traore), Wells-Morrison.

UNUSED SUBS: Adams, Scott.

YORK CITY: Watson, Fallowfield, O’Connor (35′ Fagan-Walcott), Howe (C), Sinclair (63′ John-Lewis), Hunt (85′ McLaughlin), Pearce (75′ Chadwick), Nathaniel-George (85′ Harriott), Armstrong, Batty, Felix.

UNUSED SUBS: Male, McLaughlin, Harriott, Aguiar.

ATTENDANCE: 1,904 (427 York City supporters)