The end result was in stark contrast to York’s bright start.
The first 30 minutes saw York dominate in both possession and chances. In truth,
it was probably the best spell of football I have seen in my year attending
York City games. The pre-match rain continued to fall, making the surface
skiddy which helped York’s quick, zippy passing. Within a minute, Matty Blair
and Michael Coulson had worked Town keeper Scott Davies. As time passed
Fleetwood got more in to the game, but York were the stronger team and
continued to create chances. For half an hour, York were battering the Cod
Army.
But the first goal changed all that. After it, City began to
panic and lost the composure which had seen them threaten Fleetwood’s goal with
effortless ease. Up to the goal, central midfield man Danny Parslow had barely
seen the ball; York’s attacking was so fast and efficient, the ball was zipped
from defence straight up the wings and into attack. But when York’s defence
failed to close down on the edge of the box, Junior Brown was allowed the space
to fire a shot just inside Michael Ingham’s right post from 25 yards. It wasn’t
particularly deserved, and was the team’s first clear chance of the half. But
it shell-shocked York, who were happy to hear the half-time whistle when it
came.
But if the last ten minutes of the first half had been poor
from the hosts, the second half was even more disappointing. Gone was the fluid
attacking play that had defined the first 30 minutes, replaced by more frantic
play. York were playing like a team who were a man down; Fleetwood’s players
dominated midfield as though they were outnumbering their counterparts. Whereas
York began resorting to the long ball as a sign of desperation, Fleetwood used
it throughout to a more devastating effect. City centre backs Chris Doig and
Chris Smith were terminally unable to deal with the high deliveries. This gave
the visitors’ a couple of good chances before they added a second. The best saw
David Ball round Ingham but fire his shot across goal, coming out off the far
post; the rebound was blocked on the line. But finally the run of play told,
and as Smith again did not deal with a long ball, Steven Gillespie was put
through and slotted home.
York’s early display was so good that they may still have
had a strong claim to have deserved a point. But in truth, Fleetwood looked
comfortable after that opening spell and despite the odd chance, York didn’t look
likely to pull the game back. And were it not for a couple of top class saves
from Ingham, the reverse may have been greater. As it is, York have to move on
to the weekend, as Rotherham United are the visitors. Back-to-back home games
gives York their best chance to bounce back to winning ways.
Ingham, 7, another great goalkeeping display, though could
work on kicking distribution
Fyfield, 7, lively on
the overlap early on, and did little wrong defensively
Smith, 3, struggled with high balls all day, should have
done better for second goal
Doig, 4, also had trouble with long ball and seemed on
different page to Smith
Challinor, 6, solid defensively and going forward, throw ins
always a threat
Parslow, 5, rare quiet game, was unable to control the
middle of the park
(Bullock - 70'), 5, minimal impact after coming on
Blair, 6, was unable to sparkle in second half when called
upon
McLaughlin, 6, in an overcrowded central midfield had only slight
influence
(Taylor - 83'), 4, only major contribution was to set up a
late chance for Town
Walker, 7, as usual, put himself about and worked incredibly
hard for team cause
Chambers, 5, attacking runs came to no avail against stout
defence
Coulson, 6, heavily involved early on, but dropped off as
game wore on
(Johnson - 70'), 5, a couple of bright moments but also a
couple of sloppy ones
Italics indicates
Man of the Match
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