Three Goals Seal The Win For York City

Sports writer Ryan Brookes,reports on the game between York City and Southport.
Three goals sealed the win for York City against Southport today in front of a record crowd at the LNER Community Stadium.

Following last week's win in the cup, just one change was made in the starting XI for today's game against Southport with Kurt Willoughby replacing Jason Gilchrist up front.

City started off well with two chances to kick off the game, Clayton Donaldson glanced his header wide and then shortly after Willoughby had a bending shot that was saved.

Southport too had a couple of chances with Jameson holding Archer's header and also denied a great run by a 'Port defender.

Kurt Willoughby was released down the right and forced Mason into a save at his near post for a corner.
Half an hour into the first half, Olly Dyson received the ball from a short corner and whipped it in for centre-half Matty Brown to head down into the bottom corner and give the Minstermen the lead.

The lead didn’t last long though when Brown went from hero to villain, pulling down a Southport man in the area which resulted in a penalty. Hmami made no mistake, sending Jameson the wrong way to level the score.

A shot from City’s Harrison Hopper almost found the top corner but Mason was there to bring it down comfortably. Not long after, Mackenzie Heaney had a first time effort from range but he just failed to hit the target.

Looking to put the away team ahead, Archer broke free and was brilliantly denied by a block and Hmami followed in with a volley that went wide. Yet again, they threatened City’s goal and Jameson had to race back across goal to tip out a close range Southport header which looked almost certain to go in. That closed out the half with the teams level at the break.

It was a bright start for York in the second half when a flick on from Brown fell to Willoughby at the front post but he couldn't convert.

However, on 58 minutes a City corner came in from the left which found Akil Wright who took his chance very well, heading the ball home to regain the lead for York.
Good play from Southport allowed Marcus Carver a chance to shoot but he blasted it over the crossbar. Somehow, they didn't score when Jameson kept them out and then Wright slid in to make a goal saving block.

Almost a moment of magic from Olly Dyson when he ran almost the full length of the pitch but Heaney couldn't latch onto his cross to complete the counter attack.
In need of a third goal to kill the match off, man of the match Dyson was there to do so after Donaldson squared it to him for an easy tap-in.

That completed the scoring for City in a brilliant 3-1 victory and brings them up to 9th in the National League North table. Next up is Morpeth Town at home next Saturday (3pm) where the Minstermen look to progress to the First Round of the FA Cup.

Manager Steve Watson speaking after his team’s win, "That big result is hopefully not far away."

York City: Jameson, Duckworth, Wright, Brown, McLaughlin, Dyson, Woods, Hopper, Heaney (Haase 90’), Willoughby (Beck 65’), Donaldson
Subs not used: Campbell, Fielding, Gilchrist
Goals: Brown (29’), Wright (58’), Dyson (85’)
Yellow cards: N/A

Southport: Mason, Thame, C Doyle, Anson, Oliver, J Doyle, Bainbridge, Hmami (Buckley-Ricketts 64’), Vassals, Archer (Watson 64’), Carver (Woods 79’)
Subs not used: McMillan, Munro
Goals: Hmami (31’)
Yellow cards: N/A