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York City 3-2 Crewe Alexandra |
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By Max Benson
It proved to be a perfect cup tie as City reached the Second Round after a dramatic finale at Bootham Crescent.
Richard Brodie capped an exhilarating comeback from the Minstermen with a superb solo goal in the 88th minute that was no less than his performance deserved.
Both sides were tentative in the early stages and Brodie almost had a sight at goal when he tussled with last man Patrick Ada. The former Histon centre back held him off, though, winning a free kick for himself in the process.
Calvin Zola should have put the visitors ahead moments later. Crewe’s top scorer this season beat David McGurk for pace but blazed his effort well over with only Michael Ingham to beat.
City were edging ahead on points but Zola reminded the Minstermen of his potency on 13 minutes as he forced a smart save from Ingham with a curling shot from the edge of the box.
It was an even contest for the first half hour and City probed forward without causing any major problems for the Crewe defence.
The Minstermen did manage to force a couple of corners during a spell of pressure and unlikely attacker Daniel Parslow had his goal bound shot deflected behind after a corner was only partially cleared.
But after a short spell of dominance, City fell behind on 33 minutes. Joel Grant was afforded far too much room towards the left of the area and arrowed his strike into Ingham’s top right hand corner.
Parity was restored just minutes later with an outstanding goal. Adam Smith took on Ashley Westwood down the right flank and delivered a superb cross which was met by the onrushing Brodie who powered an exceptional header past the helpless Steve Phillips.
Having just got back into the match, City found themselves behind again in the 41st minute. Grant, who had sprung into life after his goal, curled a teasing cross to the back post where Zola ghosted in to nod home.
Grant continued to terrorise Ben Purkiss early in the second period. The ex-Aldershot winger’s industry saw the ball spill to Simon Walton who dragged his shot wide.
Mitchel-King came close to extending the lead when he headed wide after meeting Westwood’s delivery at the near post.
But City regrouped, and in a sign of things to come, were beginning to pass the ball around nicely. A corner was forced after excellent work by Smith and Alex Lawless down the right as Crewe tried to soak up the pressure.
The Minstermen had the ball in the net on 58 minutes. Phillips made a complete horlicks of a low Lawless effort and Smith pounced on the rebound, only to be denied by the linesman flagging for offside.
Rankine put in an excellent performance and one of his many headers nearly set up Brodie on 65 minutes. The summer signing from Rushden & Diamonds beat the mountainous Mitchel-King only for Brodie to see his effort snuffed out.
Brodie had another chance just a minute later but fired over after doing well to beat Ada thirty yards from goal.
Craig Nelthorpe was introduced fifteen minutes from time at the expense of Chris Carruthers as the Minstermen continued to build pressure which was, by this point, relentless.
The outstanding Lawless then delivered a neat free kick from the left that was headed over by Rankine with his back to goal.
The visitors were camped in their own half and City were doing everything short of creating clear-cut chances.
But when one came, it was taken. Substitute Richard Pacquette had been on the pitch for about a minute when Neil Barrett’s corner spilled to him twelve yards from goal. Pacquette did the rest, drilling the ball through the crowd and, eventually, into the back of the net.
City were level, Bootham Crescent was rocking and there was more to come.
Brodie epitomised City’s never say die spirit and it was only fitting that he should score the dramatic winner in the 88th minute.
The big Geordie combined skill with composure in drifting past three Crewe defenders before firing emphatically past Phillips with his weaker right foot to leave players, directors and fans celebrating as one.
Build him a statue!
Line-Ups
York City (4-4-2) – Ingham, Purkiss, McGurk, Parslow, Meredith (Pacquette 83), Smith (Graham 86), Lawless, Barrett, Carruthers (Nelthorpe 75), Brodie, Rankine
Subs Not Used – Mimms, Ferrell, Mackin, Boyes
Crewe Alexandra (4-4-2) – Phillips, Brayford, Ada, Mitchel-King, Westwood, Shelley, Bailey (Clements 90+2), Walton, Grant (Murphy 90+2), Moore, Zola (Donaldson 90+2)
Subs Not Used – Legzdins, O’Donnell, Tootle
Referee – Gary Sutton (Lincoln)
Man of the Match – Richard Brodie
Attendance - 3,070 (365 Crewe)
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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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