York City 1-2 Notts County

Notts County ran out 2-1 winners at Bootham Crescent after a dramatic end to the game saw two goals in the final eight minutes.

Following a quiet opening quarter of an hour, both sides began to create chances and worked hard in what was developing into a good contest. The best of the early chances fell to York City and Amari Morgan-Smith, his close range effort had Magpies keeper Ross Fitzsimons at full stretch to keep the scores level.

After a very even half, Liam Walker made it 1-0 to Notts County in first half stoppage time. Walker was afforded enough time to find the bottom right corner from 20 yards and York keeper Jon Worsnop could do little about it, the shot making its way in off the post.

County had the momentum at the start of the second half and could have doubled their advantage had either Pierce Bird’s header from a corner not hit the crossbar, or Hayden Hollis not put the rebound over from close range. Notts County captain Shola Ameobi also saw what would have been a spectacular volley blocked.

Shortly after the hour mark we saw the raft of substitutions that are customary during a pre-season game, which included the introduction of Michael Rankine for the Minstermen. Rankine looked eager to make an in impact on proceedings, shooting wide shortly after coming on.

Having dealt with County’s early pressure in the second half, York looked just as likely to score as the visitors, with play becoming stretched. Seven minutes from time Rankine burst into the penalty area, only to be taken down by Fitzsimons and the referee to point to the spot. Jon Parkin then stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, as he has done so many times throughout his career.

York were suddenly on the front foot and their closest chance to winning the match came when a long throw dropped to Parkin in the six-yard box. Parkin, who was facing away from goal, backheeled the ball but only onto post, rather than into the net.

Stoppage time was once again costly for York, as Notts County found a winner in the penultimate minute of play. Pierce Bird’s corner found its way past the crowd of players in the middle and floated into the top corner.

Despite the result, the home side and their supporters would have been encouraged that they went toe to toe with a side two divisions above them and were only let down in the closing stages of each half.

York’s next match is their opening game of the season against AFC Telford United and manager Gary Mills says they’re prepared for next Saturday:

“I think we’re ready. We’ve got the last week now to tinker with things and maybe go over a couple of free-kicks and a couple of corners and just go over what’s going to make us a good side.

We’re going to have to fight for everything we’re going to get this season. I think I’ve put a good squad of lads together to go and show that we can do that.”

And Mills isn’t likely to be reading much into results from the last few weeks:

“Preseason is preseason, it’s about next Saturday when three point is up for grabs. Everybody’s learnt we’ve got to be totally focused on this together and we’re not just going to have teams turn up here and we’re just going to beat them because that’s what we should be doing, we’re going to have to work hard for that, home and away. Whatever challenge is put in front of us, we’ve got to go and face it and make sure we deal with it.”

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