Photo by Steve Davies
York City U19s came from behind late on to secure a deserved 4-2 win away at Boston United on Wednesday in the National League U19 Alliance North.
Campbell White, originally due to start between the sticks, was replaced by Dom Zubrickas in a forced change at the eleventh hour, the only alteration made by Tim Ryan.
Boston kicked off on home soil and looked to make an early impression, but it was City who struck first after just five minutes.
A tidy give-and-go down the left between Ethan Stiver and Josh Binns saw the latter fire a low cross towards the back post, where Jake Roberts was on hand to tap home unmarked.
Lucas Russell went close to extending the lead soon after, meeting a loose corner on the edge of the box, but his effort flew over the bar.
The hosts had their first real opening in the twelfth minute, a header flashing across the face of goal, before they made it count six minutes later.
A free kick delivered from the left-hand side was flicked on perfectly and found the far corner of the net.
York nearly regained the lead just before the half-hour mark when Eddie Kettlewell latched onto a pass down the wing, but under pressure, his shot rolled harmlessly across and out for a goal kick.
Sutton Greening also tested the goalkeeper shortly after, firing low from a short corner routine, though the effort was comfortably held.
In the 39th minute, for the second time in as many matches, City were awarded a penalty, and the opposition reduced to ten men.
Kettlewell was denied at point-blank range by a defender already on a booking, resulting in a second yellow and a spot-kick.
Greening stepped up as usual, aiming for the bottom-left corner, but the Pilgrims ‘keeper guessed correctly and kept it out.
Moments later, Boston capitalised at the other end, taking the lead against the run of play. A high cross from the right was nodded beyond Zubrickas and into the net.
Russell went agonisingly close to levelling just before the break, driving into the box before seeing his deflected strike drift narrowly wide.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between at the start of the second half. Lewis Beadle tried his luck from distance but couldn’t keep his effort down, while the hosts sent a speculative attempt well out of the sports centre.
The Minstermen’s pressure eventually paid off in the 77th minute.
A flowing move down the left saw Binns and Stiver combine before Beadle delivered into the box.
The initial header was blocked, but substitute Ed Campbell-Baldwin reacted quickest, scuffing a half-volley into the net to deservedly draw York level.
Sensing a winner, York pushed on. Stiver tried from range, though his effort drifted off target.
Then, a couple of minutes into injury time, City completed the turnaround in spectacular fashion.
Lincon Newall picked out Michael Kydd out wide, and the right-back took a touch before unleashing a stunning strike into the far corner.
Greening nearly added a fourth moments later, forcing another good save, before City sealed the points in the dying seconds.
A Boston throw-in was rolled back to the goalkeeper, unaware Tom Hewson was closing him down. The forward nicked the ball and rolled it into an empty net, with the full-time whistle following seconds after.
York City: Zubrickas, Kydd, Beadle, Belleh (C), Shaw (Newall 72′), Russell, Roberts (Hewson 57′), Stiver, Kettlewell (Campbell-Baldwin 70′), Greening, Binns.
Sub not used: Baker.
