The Young Minstermen extended their unbeaten start to the new league season on Wednesday afternoon following a narrow 1-0 win over Guiseley.
Harry Burland’s first-half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides as the U19’s were able to hold out for back-to-back wins and clean sheets.
City started strong inside the opening two minutes and could have gone ahead early on, but after racing through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, George Harrison was only able to put the ball narrowly wide of goal from close-range.
The visitors had the ball in the back of the net after sixteen minutes, but after a neat low cross across the area, their forward was deemed offside by the linesman’s flag.
York took the lead after 26 minutes through Burland, who dropped his left shoulder to send the defender the wrong way. After breaking his way into the area, the forward beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle with a smart finish to put the Young Minstermen ahead.
Alex Hernandez had a brilliant opportunity to double City’s lead six minutes before the break. After using his body to control the ball in the final third, he drove forward towards goal before forcing the goalkeeper into a fine save with a fierce effort from the edge of the area.
Five minutes into the second half, Harley Dawson headed narrowly over the bar from close-range after McKenzie Crooks’ free-kick into the area, before substitute Bailey Wilson rounded the goalkeeper in the area, before narrowly having an effort from a tight angle parried away for a corner as City looked to double their lead at the training ground.
Guiseley thought they’d stolen a point late on in the 90th minute, but once again in the game they were deemed offside at the back post following a cross.
York goalkeeper Sam Taylor also made three important saves throughout the game, ensuring the Minstermen kept back-to-back clean sheets.
The Young Minstermen are next in action when they take on Workington AFC in the FA Youth Cup. Details for that fixture will follow shortly.
York City U19 (vs Guiseley): Taylor (GK), Tate, Crooks, Marshall, Shirley, Gibson-Booth, Harrison, Dawson, Hernandez, Payne (Wilson 67’), Burland (Lumsden 72’)
Unused Subs: Hope, Grumley, Carr
Goals: Burland (26’)