Image by Tom Poole
The Minstermen lost 1-0 at home to Dorking Wanderers at the LNER Community Stadium in the Vanarama National League on Tuesday night.
A late Tom Blair strike for visitors Dorking Wanderers denied City back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
Neal Ardley made several changes to the side following the quick turnaround from Saturday, with Fin Barnes and Dan Batty given starts.
City started the game on the front foot through Barnes and Will Smith, recording three corners inside the opening couple of minutes.
Visitors Dorking settled into the game after intense opening minutes, making it a tame affair.
Billy Chadwick tested Harrison Male in the 17th minute, cutting inwards and curling an effort, which was easily saved.
Dipo Akinyemi looked to have carved some space to take clear aim in the 24th minute, ultimately scuffing his volley well over the bar after the Dorking defender’s slight contact on the ball turned the chance into a volley.
Akinyemi went again in the 36th minute, skimming his effort on the ground and into Male for a routine stop.
The first half, brought to a close by referee Richard Aspinall, saw neither side particularly gunning for an opener as it drew to a close.
Danny Amos’ stray shot in the opening exchanges of the second half set City on the front foot.
George Sykes-Kenworthy pulled out two saves shortly after, denying Dorking forward Jason Prior’s near-post roller, and a dangerous header from Haydn Hollis after a deep set-piece.
Substitution Will Davies looked to leave an immediate mark after being substituted on, smacking the post in the 63rd minute from inside the area after making space away from the Dorking defence.
A sucker-punch from the visitors killed spirits deep into the second half when Tom Blair riffled in an effort from some distance, striking the bar before dropping across the line in the 85th minute.
There was no late comeback to be from City, with half chances by Alex Woodyard and Chadwick not enough to claw a point.
YORK CITY: Sykes-Kenworthy, Fallowfield ©, Crookes, Akinyemi (62’ John-Lewis), Howe, Barnes, Batty (74’ McLaughlin), Chadwick, Amos (62’ Davies), Woodyard, Smith.
UNUSED SUBS: Duckworth, Burgess.
DORKING: Male, Taylor, Pybus, Craig ©, McManus (81’ Moore), Prior (87’ Ottaway), Carter, Taylor, Hollis, Blair, Francomb.
UNUSED SUBS: Kennedy, Cook, Gallagher.
ATTENDANCE: 4,117 (99 Dorking Wanderers supporters)
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH: Dan Batty
