By Rory Watson | Image by Adam Davy
The Minstermen lost 1-0 against Eastleigh in the Vanarama National League at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
City ended the game with nine men after substitute Zanda Siziba and Ryan Fallowfield were both dismissed by referee Dean Watson.
Adam Hinshelwood made no changes following the one-all draw against FC Halifax Town on Tuesday night, opting for the same starting XI.
City didn’t look particularly troubled throughout large parts of the first half, moving the ball well in the opening exchanges.
Billy Chadwick’s fourth minute strike bounced off of Ludwig Francillete initially, calling ‘keeper Joe McDonnell’s reflexes into early action.
Alex Hunt saw his shot blocked away in the 15th minute after a plethora of Eastleigh bodies surrounded the effort.
Maz Kouhyar then found the space to hit at ‘keeper McDonnell a minute later, curling a shot from the right-hand flank to the far side which was palmed away with power.
George Sykes-Kenworthy was then pulled into action a minute later, firstly punching away a delivery before calmly holding Paul McCallum’s strike from outside the area.
Marvin Armstrong saw a cross from the right-hand flank smack up and over off the cross bar in the 21st minute, with wind swinging the ball.
Kouhyar delivered a lovely deep cross in the 29th minute, picking out Akinyemi who was unable to latch a clearer connection meaning the chance bundled towards McDonnell.
York continued to work the ball nicely, but struggled to create anything too clear cut.
Both Danny Amos and Hunt were next up in consecutive minutes to hit over the bar.
Scott Quigley blasted over Eastleigh’s best worked chance of the first half in the 41st minute, sending it over centrally.
Armstrong closed out the half with a chance inside the box, moving the ball to the near right-hand post of McDonnell before having his shot deflected over.
The game’s momentum flipped on its head following the half time break as visitors Eastleigh came into it more.
Quigley won Eastleigh a corner in the opening minutes after hitting a tame shot off of Fallowfield.
The resulting set-piece was nodded wide at the far post by Solomon Nwaboukei.
Quigley was again at the forefront of the Spitfires’ attack, being fed through by McCallum and going all the way before deflecting his shot off of the chasing Hunt.
A 69th minute long throw which was flicked on by George Langston was diverted goalwards by Quigley, who stuck the bar.
Red cards followed in the 74th and 77th minute for City, as Zanda Siziba initially walked following a clash with Nwabuokei.
For protesting the decision, Ryan Fallowfield was booked before seeing a second yellow card for sliding through late Nwabuokei.
Eastleigh’s uptick in performance during the second half was rewarded in the 83rd minute. Luke Croll stabbed in the Spitfires’ corner.
A plethora of yellows were then distributed following the goal, with Hinshelwood, Billy Chadwick and Cal Howe all carded.
Eastleigh looked to double up on their opener late on, with Francillette’s near-post shot beat away.
Amos’ 89th minute corner connected beautifully with Howe, who circled around the box to guide a header towards the far post.
Eastleigh’s defence were wise to it however, blocking off the line.
City will now look to secure a significant victory on home soil next Saturday, when we host Woking with reduced price tickets.
YORK CITY: Sykes-Kenworthy, Fallowfield, Akinyemi, Kouhyar (56’ Siziba), Howe ©, Batty, Chadwick, Amos, Hunt, Armstrong (90+3’ Castro), Fishburn (56’ John-Lewis).
UNUSED SUBS: Campbell, McLaughlin.
EASTLEIGH: McDonnell, Francillette, Taylor © (72’ Reeves), McCallum, Boldewijn, Langston, Croll, Nwabuokei, Maguire (61’ Hodson), Quigley, Vokins.
UNUSED SUBS: Atangana, Scott, Merry.
ATTENDANCE: 5,508 (137 Eastleigh supporters)
WAITROSE MAN OF THE MATCH, CHOSEN BY DERVENTIO FIRE & SECURITY: Alex Hunt