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York City 2-2 Cambridge Utd |
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By Max Benson
Michael Gash scored twice as the Minstermen fought back to earn a hard earned point at KitKat Crescent in a game where both sides had held the lead.
City returned from their weekend break looking to build on six games unbeaten and three consecutive clean sheets.
Manager Martin Foyle was forced into making one change as former Wrexham midfielder Levi Mackin returned to the starting line up with Alex Lawless missing through illness.
Cambridge were unchanged for an eighth successive game. The visitors also went in to the match unbeaten in seven with the Blue Square Premier’s top scorer Chris Holroyd partnering Danny Crow up front in a 4-4-2 formation.
City forced a corner as early as the 3rd minute. Adam Smith found space on the right and pulled the ball across to Mackin who saw his deflected drive from 20 yards spin behind.
The tenacity of Richard Brodie almost set up Andy Ferrell in the 11th minute. Having battled well to retain possession, Brodie swung a pass forward for his fellow Geordie, only for Wayne Hatswell to force his way in front of Ferrell to clear.
It was tentative in the early stages. Both sides looked to play passing football but two organised defences were keeping chances to a minimum.
The game was crying out for someone to break the deadlock, and Michael Gash was the man to do it on 33 minutes.
It was Gash’s initial shot from the edge of the area that started the move. The ball found its way to Smith on the right and he fired into the middle. A short round of penalty box pinball followed before the 55k striker found just enough room to strike past Danny Potter with impressive composure.
Despite a couple of Cambridge corners, City were looking confident following the goal and played the ball around nicely on a well-watered playing surface.
Brodie went on to force a smart save from Potter just before half time, curling his 25 yard free kick around the wall only for the away ‘keeper to dive well to his right and turn the shot round the post as City headed into the break on top.
The Minstermen were close to a two-goal lead on 53 minutes. Gash snuck through the visitors’ back line before lobbing right to Brodie. City’s top scorer was on his weaker right foot though and shot harmlessly wide.
Brodie came close again just a couple of minutes later, latching on to Ferrell’s through ball and attempting to flick the ball past the advancing Potter. The former Stevenage ‘keeper was lucky to find himself in the right place at the right time however, cutting the ball off to prevent what would have been an open goal for Brodie.
But the Minstermen were coming under increasing pressure around the hour mark as Cambridge enjoyed their first spell of dominance in the game.
A long range effort deflected by Jimmy Sangare forced Michael Ingham into a sharp stop before Smith twice blocked a free kick as City strived to keep their run of clean sheets intact.
Sangare came close for City at the other end half way through the second half, flying in unmarked to meet a corner in his customary style and sending his header wide of the right hand post.
Cambridge Manager Martin Ling made a bold move with just over 15 minutes remaining. The largely ineffective Holroyd and Crow were hauled off with the experienced pair of Mark Beesley and Lee Phillips replacing them on the front line.
And Phillips nearly made his mark moments later, heading narrowly over Ingham’s cross bar from close range.
On 78 minutes pressure finally told and the U’s were deservedly level. Former City trialist Jai Reason found space on the edge of the area before firing into the bottom left hand corner.
Despite the well-documented incitement of opposing fans seen in the Premier League in recent weeks, Reason displayed immaturity in abundance by sliding in front of the David Longhurst Stand in celebration.
Home fans were left stunned only five minutes later as Mark Beesley made it two for the away side on 83 minutes; again finding too much space and driving low, this time into the bottom right hand corner.
But it was a game that ebbed and flowed throughout and it was only fitting for there to be one final twist.
In the 88th minute Gash, who had endured a quieter second period, popped up to score his fourth of the campaign and draw City level.
Smith’s cross from the right was a perfect invitation for the former Cambridge striker who nodded excellently home from 12 yards, giving Potter no chance and City a well earned share of the points.
Line-Ups
York City (4-4-2) – Ingham, Purkiss, McGurk, Parslow, Meredith, Smith (McGurk 90), Mackin (McWilliams 83), Barrett, Ferrell (Rankine 80), Brodie, Gash
Subs Not Used – Pacquette, Nelthorpe
Cambridge United (4-4-2) – Potter, Gleeson, Saah, Hatswell, Tonkin, Willmott, Carden, Reason, Parkinson (Pitt 68), Holroyd (Phillips 74), Crow (Beesley 74)
Subs Not Used – Coulson, Ives
Referee – Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire)
Yellow Cards – Brodie (City) Willmott (Cambridge)
Man of the Match – Michael Gash
Attendance - 2,321 (234 Cambridge)
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Upcoming fixtures at York City FC
24th August - AFC Barrow - 7.45pm KO
28th August - Altrincham 3pm KO
4th September - Rushden & Diamonds 3pm KO
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