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Match Report: AFC Wimbledon 0-1 York City |
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By Max Benson
An impressive second half performance earned City a crucial three points and lifted them up into the play off places.
Michael Rankine’s diving header 25 minutes from time was enough to seal a win that was well earned and hugely satisfying against a robust Wimbledon side.
The first half was hard fought as both sides struggled for supremacy. Skipper Daniel Parslow started at right back with Ben Purkiss missing. Luke Graham, on loan from top half rivals Mansfield, enjoyed what proved to be a solid full debut at centre half.
Strangely, being over 200 miles from home, it felt like a derby game with over 4,000 fans, including a sizeable number from York, crammed into the cosy Kingsmeadow ground.
Alex Lawless briefly threatened to light up a dim first twenty minutes but his strike from the edge of the box bobbled harmlessly wide.
Clear cut chances were few and far between but Chris Carruthers, having switched from his natural left side to the opposite flank, smartly turned his man before finding Lawless who clipped his pass towards Richard Brodie who was unable to force the ball past Wimbledon ‘keeper Seb Brown.
Brodie became one of five City players booked when he was issued with his fifth yellow card of the campaign. The England ‘C’ international was summoned in puzzling circumstances and referee Hopkins showed no hesitation in brandishing the card that will rule Brodie out of Tuesday’s game against Gateshead, his home-town club.
The Minstermen created the best chance of the first half by far on 37 minutes. Rankine exchanged passes with Brodie who went on to pick out his strike partner who just couldn’t get on top of his header that looped over.
City had the better of the latter stages of a scrappy first half. Brodie forced a second corner of the match with a deflected header over from a Lawless cross.
The second period started in brighter fashion. The industry of Rankine forced a corner from which a Wimbledon player’s hand seemed to connect with the ball in the box. The baying York faithful behind the goal were denied, though, as their protests were waved away.
Despite the City pressure, Wimbledon had their best chance of the contest when a header through the crowd of players was deemed to have been deflected narrowly over for a corner.
City were an inch from taking the lead just before the hour when a superb Lawless cross was met by Brodie at the far post. Wimbledon’s rookie ‘keeper produced an excellent save, though, tipping Brodie’s header onto both post and bar before the loose ball was hacked off the line.
But the hard work paid off for the Minstermen minutes later. Rankine’s sweat and toil was rewarded as he swooped in to head home Carruthers’ cross to cause mayhem on the terrace behind occupied by the army of City fans.
Attacks were becoming increasingly rare for the home side but Steven Gregory was left with his head in his hands after dragging his shot wastefully wide from 25 yards out.
City remained on top and only another good save from Brown denied Brodie on 70 minutes after his low shot from point-blank range.
The Minstermen were indebted to Levi Mackin at the other end after his clearance in front of goal after Jon Main’s low cross from the left.
James Meredith, already on a booking, was on the thinnest of ice when he hauled down his man 25 yards from goal with a late challenge. The referee was lenient, however, and the free kick was belted straight into the City wall.
Rankine’s goals in recent weeks seem to have filled him with confidence. He was perhaps a bit too sure of himself in the 90th minute, however, as he found space and cut inside before attempting an optimistic pile driver from long range that cleared both crossbar and terrace.
Despite one or two half scares, the Minstermen won the game with confidence and in relative comfort. In contrast to the victories over Chester and Ebbsfleet, once City scored, they kept pushing for a second. Fans will be hoping for more of the same at Bootham Crescent against Gateshead on Tuesday.
Line-Ups
York City (4-4-2) – Ingham, Graham, McGurk, Parslow, Meredith, Lawless, Barrett (Ferrell 82), Mackin, Carruthers, Brodie (Gash 78), Rankine
Subs Not Used – Gall, Smith, Mimms
AFC Wimbledon (4-4-2) – Brown, Conroy (Wellard 76), Lorraine, Judge, Johnson, Taylor (Montague 82), Hatton, Gregory, Godfrey (Moore 67), Kedwell, Main
Subs Not Used – Turner, Cumbers
Referee – John Hopkins (Wickford)
Yellow Cards – Meredith, Brodie, Parslow, Rankine, Carruthers (City) Lorraine (Wimbledon)
Man of the Match – Alex Lawless
Attendance – 4,016
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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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