search
date/time
Lancashire Times
A Voice of the Free Press
frontpagebusinessartscarslifestylefamilytravelsportsscitechnaturefictionCartoons
Ryan Brookes
Sports Writer
@RyanBrookes23
9:28 PM 12th February 2022
sports

Match Report: York City 3-2 Morpeth Town

 
Matty Brown completed an incredible comeback as York City came from 2 goals down to win 3-2 against Morpeth Town, taking them into the FA Trophy Quarter Finals.

A trip to Bradford Park Avenue ended up being successful on Wednesday night for York City - a Mitch Hancox double and goals from Michael Duckworth and Akil Wright sealed a 4-2 win to fire The Minstermen back into the playoff race.

However, focus was turned to the Buildbase FA Trophy this week and in a bid to qualify for the quarter finals, City took on Morpeth Town. It isn’t the first time Morpeth have visited the LNER Community Stadium this season due to the two sides facing off in the FA Cup.

The Highwaymen took York to a replay at Craik Park with City coming out on top. Since that fixture back in October, the North East side have only lost one game and are flying at the moment.

For York City, Will Jarvis started for the first time after coming on loan from Hull. Clayton Donaldson also returned to the starting eleven whilst Michael Woods was included on the bench following his return from injury. Plus, a late change meant Maxim Kouogun dropped out and AJ Greaves replaced him, making his debut.

City’s Paddy McLaughlin tried a long range shot just four minutes in but the first chance of the match flew well wide of the post.

McLaughlin made a great run with the ball on nine minutes, darting past a few Morpeth men and then letting fire. Dan Lowson managed to get down well to keep the shot out with the midfielder unable to convert yet again.

After almost 20 minutes on the clock, Paddy McLaughlin was on the ball yet again. Laying it off to Olly Dyson this time, Dyson took on a defender and then drilled a shot in from close range, which ended up going straight down the ‘keeper’s throat.

However, 6 minutes later, with virtually their first chance of the game, Morpeth managed to get in front. In a crowded area, Andy Johnson found a way through, slotting it into the bottom right corner.

Not long before the half time whistle, York nearly had the equaliser. A corner from Scott Barrow ended up in a short game of head tennis in the box before Akil Wright’s header bounced off the crossbar.

10 minutes into the second half, a Matty Brown header almost found the back of the net but a black shirt was there to head it back off the line.

Just 10 minutes later, The Highwaymen doubled their lead - Jack Foalle sent in a great cross towards the back post which was nodded in by striker Ryan Donaldson to close the gap on the quarter finals of the FA Trophy.
Shortly after, York’s Olly Dyson was put through on goal with just the ‘keeper to beat. Unfortunately for City’s number 7, Lowson came out on top and stopped the attack.

Two minutes after, Kurt Willoughby entered the field and made an instant impact. The York sub curled an effort towards the goal which rebounded back off the post but Mitch Hancox was there to make sure it crossed the line.

With 12 minutes left to play, The Minstermen made an incredible turnaround. A shot from the edge of the box was saved by the Morpeth ‘keeper but Akil Wright was there to give it back across goal to the man of the moment - Mitch Hancox! His second brace in just two games brought York City back into the contest they thought they were out of only 10 minutes before.

A minute later, Olly Dyson rocketed an effort against the bar from about 25 yards out. York City were beginning to play some great football and a goal was beckoning.
With one minute remaining of normal time, York completed the comeback and did the impossible. ‘Captain Fantastic’ Matty Brown rose above a crowd of bodies to head home Dyson’s free kick into the top corner, sparking an almighty roar and scenes amongst the home fans.

This incredible 3-2 win puts The Minstermen in the hat for the quarter finals and the draw will take place on Monday. On Tuesday night, City, who have scored 10 goals in their last three games, play host to relegation battlers AFC Telford United in the National League North.

York City: Jameson, Duckworth, Greaves (Longdon 68’), Brown ©, Barrow, Dyson, Wright, McLaughlin, Jarvis (Willoughby 68’), Donaldson, Hancox
Subs not used: Campbell, Haase, Greaves, Woods
Goals: Hancox (69’, 78’), Brown (89’)
Yellow cards: Jarvis (45’)


Morpeth Town: Lowson, Forster, Phillips, Oliver, Oliver, Henderson ©, Turner, Foalle (Walton 71’), Noble, Henderson, Donaldson, Johnson (Ramsay 83’)
Subs not used: Taylor, Anderson, Finnigan
Goals: Johnson (26’), Donaldson (64’)
Yellow cards: Foalle (44’)


Attendance: 2795 (455 away)
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Man of the Match: Mitch Hancoxw80