MATCH REPORT | Bury AFC 1-2 York City

MATCH REPORT | Bury AFC 1-2 York City

match result

Neuven Stadium

Saturday 15th October – 15:00

Mitch Hancox’s winner four minutes from time secured a 2-1 win for the Minstermen against North West Counties Premier Division side Bury AFC in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round.

Olly Dyson handed York an early lead with a finish from close-range, before a second-half comeback from the home side saw them pull back level with seventeen minutes to go through Lewis Gilboy.

With the game looking like it would be heading to a replay though, Mitch Hancox stepped up late on with his first goal of the season, which sees the Minstermen advance into the First Round proper of the competition.

Hancox was one of three changes made to the starting eleven by manager John Askey after Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw against Dagenham and Redbridge in the National League.

Forwards Manny Duku and Luke James were also brough into start from the off by Askey, as Maziar Kouhyar, Dan Pybus and Lenell John-Lewis all dropped onto the bench.

City started strongly and had a chance through Hancox inside of the opening minute at the Neuven Stadium, who’s strike from distance was parried away by Bury keeper Jack Atkinson.

Dyson handed York the lead after only eight minutes, turning the ball home from close-range after good work down the right-hand side by James.

Hancox went close again minutes later as he headed the ball narrowly over after a good ball in from the right, before Dyson thought he had found his side’s second goal in the 20th minute, again from close-range, but it was ruled out for offside by the linesman.

Duku made a brilliant break into the area after being picked out by Dyson, but the forward wasn’t able to take his chance as his thunderous strike came back out into play off the crossbar.

The home side slowly started to grow into the game and twice went close through Connor Comber within a fifteen minute spell. He first had a curling effort from out-wide easily held by York goalkeeper Ethan Ross, before a fantastic strike from 35-yards out saw him strike the crossbar, catching Ross off-guard.

Into the second-half, Bury continued to press as the 9th tier side looked for an equaliser. Gilboy headed narrowly wide of goal after a brilliant delivery into the area from the right byline, before Harry Brazel bundled the ball into the back of the net with a header after a cross into the area, but the goal didn’t stand as the linesman’s flag went up for offside.

Four minutes later though, the home side found themselves an equaliser. After a long-ball forward, the ball fell to Gilboy on the edge of the area, who drilled the ball across the face of goal and into the bottom-right corner beyond Ross to bring his side back into the contest.

After being introduced as a second-half substitute, Lenell John-Lewis beat Niall Cummins and broke clear down the left-hand side, before the forward drilled a left-footed effort narrowly wide of goal from a tight angle.

With only four minutes to go, York found their winner which would secure their place in the hat for Monday’s 1st Round draw. Substitute Nathan Thomas played Hancox clear through on goal, who calmly slotted the ball under Atkinson, before wheeling away to celebrate in front of the York supporters behind the goal.

After originally pulling themselves back into the game, the home side had chances deep into injury time as they looked for another equaliser, but neither Gilboy or Comber could capitalize with their chances.

York held on for the win, which sees them enter Monday’s draw, which could potentially see them drawn against League One sides Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday or Charlton Athletic.

City’s immediate attentions though turn back to National League action when they will take on Aldershot Town away from home next Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).

Bury AFC: Atkinson (GK), Williams, Kenny, Rowney, Moore, Cummins, Gilboy, Holt (Deru 62′), Wharton, Brazel, Comber

Unused subs: McWilliam, Harrison. Egan, O’Brian, Krakue, Smith

goals: Gilboy (73′)

Yellow Cards: Comber, Brazel, Rowney

York City (4-3-3): Ross (GK); Fallowfield, Kouogun, Sanders, Whittle; Mafuta, Dyson, Hancox; L.James (Kouhyar 79′), Duku (John-Lewis 62′), Hurst (Thomas 68′)

Unused subs: McLaughlin, Whitley, Pybus

goals: Dyson (8′), Hancox (86′)

Yellow Cards: Hurst, Kouogun, Whittle, Hancox

Referee: Elliot Swallow

attendance: 2.069