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Match Report: York City 3-0 Mansfield Town |
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By Max Benson
Yet another Man of the Match performance from Richard Brodie capped a fine team display as the Minstermen further cemented their position in the play off places.
The Blue Square Premier’s leading scorer now has 25 for the campaign and led the line superbly but, in truth, there wasn’t a single weak link in Martin Foyle’s team who swept aside a disjointed Mansfield side with ease.
The playing staff weren’t the only heroes on the day, either, after nearly 100 supporters worked all morning to clear the pitch of its blanket of snow to ensure the game went ahead.
Despite a decent start, including a Michael Brough shot over after just 30 seconds, the visitors lack of cohesion made for a quiet afternoon for City ‘keeper Michael Ingham.
Alex Lawless almost took advantage of space in the Mansfield half after a quarter of an hour. The summer signing from Forest Green took a good first touch but dragged his shot wide of the left hand post.
And the Welshman nearly turned provider a minute later, only for Chris Carruthers’ header to be deflected over a relieved Alan Marriott’s crossbar.
It took a scrappy goal to open the scoring in the 21st minute. After a dangerous Levi Mackin cross from the left, the ball was looped towards goal by Luke Graham before Brodie popped up to bundle over the line from close range.
It could have been two shortly after. Mackin, who had an excellent game in the heart of midfield, cleared the roof of the packed David Longhurst Stand from inside the area after Neil Barrett’s corner was only half-cleared.
Lawless chipped wide again after an intelligent ball upfield from David McGurk had been knocked down by Michael Rankine on 35 minutes.
McGurk was spending an unusual amount of time in the away side’s penalty area and almost extended the lead just before half time, just failing to connect with his shot on the turn.
It had been good before half time, but City’s start to the second period was even better. Just after the break, Brodie rushed onto a long ball before being felled by last man Luke Jones inside the area.
Jones was rightly sent off and Brodie stepped up to drive home from the spot for the seventh time this season.
Two almost became three when the well-placed Rankine fired wide after meeting a sideways Lawless pass twelve yards from goal on 52 minutes.
The home side were even closer just a minute later. Carruthers fed a neat pass to Brodie who sent a tantalising ball across goal that begged for a final touch, but Rankine couldn’t stretch far enough to force home at the back post.
Brodie is rightly full of confidence and showed that self-belief just after the hour with an unlikely shot from thirty yards that flew only just wide of the scuttling Marriott’s left hand post.
There was little relief for David Holdsworth’s men but, when a rare chance came, it was spurned by Andy Burgess who punted his effort wastefully into the David Longhurst Stand.
In search of a third hat-trick of an exceptional campaign, Brodie had another go from outside the box on 65 minutes but saw his shot with his weaker right foot curl harmlessly over.
Attacking set pieces have been a strong-point for the Minstermen this season and Rankine nearly contributed to the scoreline on 70 minutes.
Mackin rolled a free kick from just outside the area across to the former Rushden striker who belted a shot that Marriott met with a solid low save.
In contrast to recent matches and to the relief of the City faithful, the Minstermen continued to press and Graham, strangely allowed to play against his parent club, nodded over from Barrett’s corner fifteen minutes from time.
Mansfield’s best effort by far came courtesy of substitute Ryan Williams who ran well down the left channel and fired a curling shot wide of Ingham’s goal from 25 yards.
But it was City who were deservedly out of sight on 81 minutes. Brodie embarked on a run across the edge of the area that the visiting defence couldn’t contain.
Then, in an impressive act of selflessness, the big Geordie layed off to substitute Michael Gash who thundered his strike into the bottom left hand corner after less than a minute on the field.
It made it ten wins in eleven for the Minstermen who continue to go from strength to strength ahead of trips to mid-table Altrincham and Premiership side Stoke.
Line-Ups
York City (4-4-2) Ingham, Parslow, McGurk, Graham, Meredith, Lawless (Gall 82), Barrett, Mackin, Carruthers (Ferrell 82), Rankine (Gash 79), Brodie
Subs Not Used – Purkiss, Smith
Mansfield Town (4-4-2) Marriott, Silk, Garner, Jones, Heckingbottom, Morris (Williams 46), Brough (Hotchkiss 46), Somner, Burgess (Speight 67), Perry, Challinor
Subs Not Used – Duffy, Sandercombe
Referee – Robert Madley (Ossett)
Yellow Cards – McGurk, Mackin, Meredith, Brodie (York City) Somner, Silk, Perry, Challinor (Mansfield Town)
Red Cards – Jones (Mansfield Town)
Man of the Match – Richard Brodie
Attendance – 4,587 (642 Mansfield)
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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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