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York City 1-1 Oxford United |
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By Max Benson
Yet another captivating game at KitKat Crescent saw City held to a draw by table-topping Oxford.
A bumper crowd was treated to spells of excellent football from the Minstermen who controlled large periods of the game and can feel justifiably upset at only gaining a point for their efforts.
Martin Foyle sprung a surprise before Kick Off. Adam Boyes, who was sold to Scunthorpe United in the summer, returned on loan to cover for the injured Michael Gash. He was among the substitutes as Michael Rankine continued to partner Richard Brodie up front.
As expected, James Meredith dropped back to his familiar left back position after a foray forward last weekend. Daniel Parslow reverted to his home at the centre of defence alongside Djoumin Sangare as David McGurk returned to bench-warming duties.
City are making lightning starts their trademark on home turf this season and Rankine almost continued that trend in the first minute. After bundling his way past Mark Creighton, the big forward’s touch was just a smidge too strong, allowing the alert Ryan Clarke to gather at his feet.
Neil Barrett’s deflected free kick in the 6th minute then curled agonisingly wide of the right hand post as the Minstermen applied early pressure on the league leaders.
Simon Clist had Oxford’s first chance on 9 minutes as his shot from 15 yards was deflected a yard wide of Michael Ingham’s goal.
Not long after, it took a good one-handed save from Clarke to deny Rankine who had thrown himself at Andy Ferrell’s pin point corner.
Rankine was emulating his previous outing against the U’s on the opening day of the campaign, winning his share of headers and causing Creighton and former City loanee Luke Foster problems in the centre as the well-marshalled Brodie struggled to find space.
Barrett had another effort on 27 minutes, latching onto a corner and drilling a blistering volley that was deflected away from danger. Both sides were striving for superiority and City were looking good.
Several impressive passing moves were strung together by the Minstermen, spanning the pitch and keeping the largely solid Oxford backline on their toes.
Rankine was played in by James Meredith just before half time. The former Rushden forward showed composure to hold the ball up but was unable to shun the oppressive Creighton and shot well wide.
Attentions were switched at the break to a man who has given so much to York City. Alex Bedingham (better known to many as Yorkie the Lion) received much deserved plaudits on his retirement as the furry mascot after over ten years of unwavering service to both the club and, more importantly, the fans.
The Minstermen began the second half as they had the first. A spell of pressure marked by patient build-up play finally led to a Brodie shot being blocked behind for another City corner.
The home side continued to build. Ferrell and Rankine in particular put their bodies on the line to box the visitors into their own half.
Rankine was nearly in again on the hour, using his deceptive pace to drive past Creighton and get within range of goal. He hadn’t banked on the emergence of right back Damian Batt, though, who recovered excellently to regain possession.
Minutes later, the Minstermen received a wake-up call. An Oxford corner had been half cleared when Dannie Bulman struck a bobbling drive through the crowd of players and not far wide of the helpless Ingham’s goal.
James Constable, ever a presence, made his first meaningful contribution to proceedings in the 65th minute. The former Kidderminster striker crunched Rankine and rightly picked up his fifth yellow card of the season to earn a one match ban.
The football gods were smiling on Rankine and he scored a thoroughly deserved goal on 71 minutes. Ferrell supplied a low cross across the face of goal and the Man of The Match was there to side foot home in front of the David Longhurst Stand.
The celebrations were wild. Too wild for the Fourth Official’s liking and Brodie, after much protestation of mistaken identity, was booked for an as yet unidentified offence. City’s top scorer now looks set to be suspended for Tuesday’s crucial trip to Luton.
But Oxford levelled ten minutes later with their first shot on target. Clist ghosted in at the back post and couldn’t miss an open goal after Jack Midson’s cross from the right had somehow bypassed everyone.
Just a minute later Meredith was sent off. After committing only his second foul of the match in the middle of the field, Referee Brown showed no hesitation in brandishing a second yellow card. Adam Smith was immediately sacrificed for McGurk as the Minstermen looked to consolidate.
Alex Lawless, who once more enjoyed an eye-catching game in midfield, had the away defence tied in knots on 86 minutes. After twisting and turning past no less than five men, his shot flew wide of the right hand post.
But City had to settle for a point. It was a good advert for Conference football and another highly impressive home performance from the Minstermen who will feel rightly aggrieved at not picking up all three points.
Line-Ups
York City (4-4-2) – Ingham, Purkiss, Sangare, Parslow, Meredith, Smith (McGurk 83), Lawless, Barrett, Ferrell, Brodie, Rankine (Boyes 90)
Subs Not Used – Nelthorpe, Mimms, Mackin
Oxford United (4-3-3) – Clarke, Batt, Foster, Creighton, Kinniburgh, Clist, Murray (Chapman 69), Bulman, Green, Constable, Cook (Midson 69)
Subs Not Used – Sandwith, Day, Perry
Referee – Mark Brown (Hull)
Yellow Cards – Meredith, Brodie (City) Green, Constable, Kinniburgh (Oxford)
Red Cards – Meredith (City)
Man of the Match – Michael Rankine
Attendance - 4,302 (778 Oxford)
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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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