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Crawley Town 3-1 York City |
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By Max Benson
Today proved to be a stark wake up call for the Minstermen who gave away a deserved half time lead at the Broadfield Stadium.
Richard Brodie’s 12th goal of the season was not enough as the home side fought back with a strong second half performance.
Out of the half dozen laid low by a virus during the week, only Ben Purkiss wasn’t deemed fit enough to start. He didn’t travel with the squad and Daniel Parslow was the man shifted to right back.
Brodie’s persistence led to City’s first shot on target in the 2nd minute. After forcing his way past Chris Giles, Brodie's shot from a narrow angle was comfortably gathered by Crawley ‘keeper Simon Rayner.
Parslow soon found himself forced into action back in the middle as he flew across to block Danny Forrest’s effort from 20 yards.
Another chance came for the home side just a minute later. Journeyman striker Jefferson Louis used all his experience to turn Parslow, only to shoot straight at Michael Ingham.
Chances were coming at both ends as the match settled down. The Minstermen fashioned an excellent opportunity of their own on 9 minutes as Michael Rankine headed over from seven yards after meeting Alex Lawless’ pin-point free kick from the right.
Things deteriorated after a genuinely bright start and a succession of fouls given against both sides temporarily ruined the game as a spectacle.
The Minstermen had probably edged the early stages and took the lead in the 28th minute after Brodie had been felled by Eddie Hutchinson four yards outside the box. Lawless rolled the free kick left and Brodie curled his effort round the wall and in off the left hand post.
The chances had dried up for the Red Devils until Thomas Pinault flashed a 25 yard drive wide with Ingham nervously scurrying across to cover it.
And the home side followed this with a decent spell of dominance, albeit without creating any meaningful chances. Pinault was Lawless-like in his industry but City defended stoically to keep opportunities to a minimum.
Ben Smith opened up the second half with an over-ambitious strike from a good 30 yards out, only troubling Ingham because he was the one who had to fetch it from near the corner flag.
But it was two familiar faces that combined to draw the hosts level on 53 minutes. A Simon Rusk free kick was nodded deep into the area and Forrest, formerly of Halifax Town, turned quickest before prodding home from close range past the isolated Ingham.
As the tempo rose, it was only a fine save from Rayner at the other end that prevented City from regaining the lead. Andy Ferrell supplied an inch-perfect low cross from the left and Brodie, unmarked at the far post only yards from goal, was denied by an excellent block from the home ‘keeper.
Both sides were now vying for the lead in what was becoming a real contest. The impressive Pinault was next to threaten after he was allowed all the time in the world before bending his shot narrowly over the bar from long range.
The Minstermen escaped strong shouts for a penalty half way through the second period when Sangare tussled with Smith near the by line. Both hit the deck and all eyes were cast towards referee Johnson. The baying Crawley fans behind the goal were to be disappointed, though, as the man in black gave a free kick to City and booked Smith.
Martin Foyle’s side were subjected to increasing pressure from the home side and Giles forced Ingham into a low save at his near post as the Northern Irishman turned the bobbling effort round the post.
Play suddenly switched to the other end when Boyes broke free down the inside right and hit a shot across goal that came back off the left hand post. The ball fell fortuitously to Rankine who then had his shot cleared off the line by Giles.
But football is a cruel game, especially when chances aren’t taken. On 78 minutes the Minstermen failed to fully clear a corner and the ensuing goalmouth scramble saw the ball break free to Smith who couldn’t miss from six yards out.
Rusk came back to haunt his former side once again in the 83rd minute. Brodie broke down the inside right and hit a goal bound shot from a decreasing angle. Rusk was there to block on the line, however, and Crawley were off the hook once again.
The misery was complete two minutes from time. Chris Carruthers totally misjudged his back pass and Forrest ran on to slot past the once-again helpless Ingham.
It just wasn’t going to happen for City. Brodie again found space on the break and his rasping drive thundered away off the underside of the crossbar in injury time.
Despite the clear-cut chances created by the Minstermen, it was Crawley who made their overall dominance count in the second half and Foyle's men must now regroup ahead of next weekend's FA Cup clash with Crewe.
Line-Ups
York City (4-4-2) – Ingham, Parslow, McGurk, Sangare (Meredith 71), Carruthers, Boyes, Lawless, Barrett (Mackin 75), Ferrell (Nelthorpe 80), Brodie, Rankine
Subs Not Used – Smith, McWilliams
Crawley Town (4-4-2) – Rayner, Rusk, Giles, Quinn, Wilson, Smith, Hutchinson (Malcolm 89), Pinault, Cogan, Forrest (Carter 90), Louis (Willock 45)
Subs Not Used – Killeen, Jordan
Referee – Kevin Johnson (Somerset)
Yellow Cards –McGurk, Barrett (City) Forrest, Giles (Crawley)
Man of the Match – Richard Brodie
Attendance – 975 (271 York)
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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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