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Match Report: York City 3-1 Hinckley United |
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By Max Benson
It took an excellent display of finishing from City’s own Angel of The North to see Martin Foyle’s men through to an FA Trophy Second Round tie at Newport County.
A well struck first half penalty, followed by two neat second half finishes sealed a second hat trick of the season for Brodie to render Matt West’s headed equaliser after the break meaningless.
Foyle kept his promise of returning to a full strength side as Brodie, Neil Barrett and Chris Carruthers all started, but it didn’t prevent City looking short of their usual fluency despite dominating the first half at a quiet Bootham Crescent, with the only atmosphere provided by the ever-loyal band of Jorvik Reds.
Barrett must have seen Saturday’s Match of The Day, coming close to copying Manuel Figueroa’s wonder-goal from his own half with a strike from 35 yards out that ‘keeper Chris MacKenzie caught well above his head in just the first minute.
James Meredith was next to break forward for the Minstermen, seeing his shot turned behind for an eight minute corner.
Alex Lawless then broke free down the right with an impressive dribble before crossing from the by-line only for Brodie’s header to be saved comfortably by MacKenzie.
With City well on top, Hinckley’s first attempt of the game came as quite a surprise to the home defence half way through the first half. West tried an optimistic drive from 25 yards that flew left of Michael Ingham’s goal.
Brodie could have had his first after half an hour. Lawless threaded a superb pass for the Geordie striker to run on to and, after cutting back onto his left foot, his goal bound shot was deflected skywards by Neil Cartwright before Paul Lister headed over his own bar.
But there wasn’t too much longer to wait. Ten minutes from half time Brodie dispatched a perfect penalty into the bottom left hand corner after being felled in the box by MacKenzie to give the home side a deserved lead.
Levi Mackin was next to try his luck shortly after with a good run and shot from 25 yards that the Hinckley ‘keeper could only parry. Michael Rankine charged in to force the loose ball home only to be denied by the linesman’s offside flag.
The visitors managed a second chance a minute later when Andy Hall’s free kick from the edge of the area was tipped over by Ingham.
Barrett really should have made it two just before the break. The former Ebbsfleet midfielder was ideally placed to meet Lawless’ tempting cross from the right but somehow managed to head wide from no more than six yards out.
David McGurk was also an inch from increasing the lead in first half injury time. He was in the thick of the chaos in the six yard box after Barrett’s corner but MacKenzie eventually grabbed the ball on the whitewash.
The Knitters were level soon after the interval. Connor Franklin crossed from the left and West was there to head over a helpless Ingham.
Brodie restored the lead just before the hour mark. He again rushed onto a neat through ball and struck a sweet shot into the bottom right hand corner in his customary confident style.
But Hinckley were on top early in the second half, impressively chasing down loose balls and picking up on the most minor of City errors and they almost made it count.
Firstly, Cartwright met Hall’s cross with a firm header but powered his effort straight at the well-placed Ingham.
But a much better opportunity came on 72 minutes after Ben Purkiss, on as a second half substitute, felled Jack Roberts en route to goal.
Referee Fletcher had no choice but to point to the penalty spot in front of the David Longhurst Stand for the second time in the game but West buckled, crashing his spot kick against the bar.
Brodie came close to his third of the evening eight minutes from time but the impressive MacKenzie did well to palm his shot from the right away from danger.
He was not to be denied, however, and Brodie’s hat trick strike was one of his own making in the 90th minute. The Blue Square Premier Player of The Month twisted and turned down the inside right before drilling a sublime shot past the helpless visiting ‘keeper and in off the left hand post.
Like the first game at the weekend, it wasn’t a classic, but the Minstermen did enough to deserve their place in the Second Round and a trip to the Blue Square South’s runaway leaders.
Line-Ups
York City (4-4-2) – Ingham, Parslow (Purkiss 58), McGurk, Graham, Meredith, Lawless, Barrett, Mackin, Carruthers, Rankine (Gash 85), Brodie
Subs Not Used – Ferrell, Mimms, Gall
Hinckley United (4-4-2) – MacKenzie, Cartwright (Mace 60), Lister, Collins, Franklin, Hall, Dillon, Roberts, Taylor (Newton 79), West, Smith
Subs Not Used – Hamilton, Young, Lancaster
Referee – Russell Fletcher (Melbourne)
Yellow Cards – Meredith (York City) Lister, Dillon (Hinckley United)
Man of the Match – Richard Brodie
Attendance - 853
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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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