Red Rewind : York City 3 Burton Albion 2
We skip back to Friday 25th August 2006 for the meeting between York City and Burton
Albion at KitKat Crescent. The home side eventually proved superior in a dramatic finish
that produced a rather unlikely goal-hero.
York City find themselves top of the Nationwide Conference - at least for the next 19
hours - following a dramatic 3-2 victory against Burton Albion at KitKat Crescent.
But it required a magnificent strike from left-back Nathan Peat deep into added time to
deny impressive opposition that twice fought back from behind.
The Minstermen opened brightly and Darren Craddock's sixth minute forward delivery was knocked on by Craig Farrell towards Clayton Donaldson, who was flagged offside. However, Donaldson enjoyed better fortune two minutes later when netting for the third successive game.
A long clearance from defence found Donaldson initially stumbling in possession, with
Farrell proving the quickest to react by shaking off the attentions of defender Ryan
Austin and slipping a perfectly weighted pass back into the stride of DONALDSON,
who expertly rounded veteran keeper Kevin Poole to score.
Within sixty seconds Donaldson raced clear again, only for Poole to save bravely at
his feet. Meanwhile at the opposite end highly-rated striker Daryl Clare headed wide
from Gary Rowett's cross before the dangerous Donaldson chipped over the bar
following another fluent home move.
The Brewers' 43-year-old former Aston Villa keeper Poole then came to the rescue when
superbly turning behind Mark Convery's 35th minute free-kick after Farrell had been held
back on the edge of the area.
York had a lucky escape of their own two minutes later when Andy Ducros' corner caused consternation at the back before keeper Tom Evans produced a fine reflex save from Aaron Webster's point-blank header.
The visitors immediately took control at the beginning of the second-half with Steve
Scoffham blazing over from a tight angle after Evans had parried Webster's 30-yard
free-kick.
Burton equalised on 50 minutes courtesy of a fine individual strike when midfielder
DUCROS drove forward and created space before despatching a superb 15-yard finish
inside the near post.
Home centre-back David McGurk narrowly cleared the crossbar with a spectacular overhead attempt from Steve Bowey's corner in the hosts' next raid.
The Minstermen reclaimed the lead on 61 minutes after Donaldson's left-wing cross allowed CONVERY to jink beyond his marker and drive his left-footed finish into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Their advantage only lasted twelve minutes when Brewers' skipper Darren Stride had a
shot deflected wide, and substitute Keith Gilroy's subsequent inswinging corner was helped on by Scoffham for defender ROWETT to bravely head in at the far post.
The visitors now appeared favourites to take a maximum points haul, particularly when
Shaun Harrad raced clear with only two minutes remaining. But the substitute failed to
recognise the supporting Clare and instead overran the ball - allowing keeper Evans to
collect.
Burton were made to pay in the second of three additional minutes after Austin was
adjudged to have fouled Donaldson on the edge of the area. Austin was promptly sent-off and defender PEAT stepped forward to curl a sublime left-footed free-kick into the top left-hand corner.
The Minstermen departed the arena to a standing ovation from their delighted
supporters, safe in the knowledge that - for the moment at least - the club sits proudly
at the summit of the Nationwide Conference table.
York City : Tom Evans, Darren Craddock, James Dudgeon, David McGurk, Nathan Peat,
Mark Convery, Neal Bishop, Emmanuel Panther, Steve Bowey, Clayton Donaldson, Craig Farrell
subs (unused) : Arran Reid, Anthony Lloyd, Ross Greenwood, Byron Webster, Daniel
Parslow
Goals : Donaldson (8), Convery (61), Peat (90)
Booked : Peat (49)
Stats : shots 9, on target 5, off target 4, fouls 12, corners 4
Burton Albion : Kevin Poole, Gary Rowett, Darren Tinson, Ryan Austin, Aaron
Webster, Andrew Corbett (Daniel Holmes 62), Lee Fowler, Darren Stride, Andrew Ducros (Keith Gilroy 71), Daryl Clare, Steve Scoffham (Shaun Harrad 78)
subs (unused) : Terry Henshaw, Jon Shaw
Goals : Ducros (50), Rowett (73)
Booked : Clare (51), Holmes (90)
Sent-off : Austin (90)
Stats : shots 9, on target 4, off target 5, fouls 12, corners 6
Ref : S Cummins (Runcorn)
Att : 2,812 (222 Burton)
The Happy Wanderers (Part Seven)
In season 1954-55 a little football club from the north of England shook the higher
echelons of the sporting world and in the process captured the hearts of a nation.
Minstermen.net is proud to pay tribute to the greatest ever York City team, a side that
brought such honour to our wonderful club.
FA Cup Semi-Final - 26th March 1955
Newcastle United (1) 1 York City (1) 1 (At Hillsborough)
Over twenty thousand York City fans journeyed to Hillsborough to roar on their brave
heroes for the biggest game in the club's history.
Twenty special trains were run to the match, while the major coach companies despatched almost seventy of their vehicles between them.
In addition countless other fans travelled via the smaller coach firms, buses or their
own cars.
The Third Division club received a major setback on the morning of the game with the
news that their brilliant ball-playing inside-forward Sid Storey would miss the tie
due to a back strain. His place was taken by Sam McNab.
Twelve hours of continual rain had resulted in a heavy surface and as the match
kicked-off the rain was still driving down.
After both teams exchanged early attacks, City fell behind on 14 minutes when
KEEBLE shot home from the left hand side of the goal after being set up by Cowell
and Davies.
However the magnificent 'Happy Wanderers' were not only a team of great skill, but
also immense character, and they almost equalised when only a desperate late challenge from Scoular denied outside-left Billy Fenton.
The Magpies nearly increased their lead courtesy once again of Keeble, before
the brave giant-killers levelled the tie on the half-hour when ARTHUR BOTTOM dispossessed Stokoe in the middle of the field before surging thirty yards forward. The brilliant striker calmly drew keeper Simpson and slotted the ball into the empty net.
The ground erupted, over twenty thousand City fans in a crowd of 65,000 jubilant in
mass celebration.
Buoyed by their success the mighty Minstermen launched a series of attacks, forcing
their First Division opponents to defend desperately.
United managed to hold firm until the break, and as conditions worsened at the start
of the second half it was they that started to go on the offensive for the first
twenty-five minutes.
The Minstermen were once more indebted to skipper Ernie Phillips, who defended
majestically in the right-back role.
But as the game wore on it was York that were proving the stronger and more resilient
and with ten minutes left came a moment of high drama.
A tremendous scramble ensued in the Newcastle penalty area and this culminated with
City goal-machine Arthur Bottom heading the ball towards goal.
Desperately keeper Simpson attempted to claw the ball away, but the majority of
observers at the game clearly saw the ball cross the line before the keeper scooped it
clear.
It looked a perfectly good goal and appeared certain to take the 'Happy Wanderers' to
the FA Cup Final.
However, amidst tremendous controversy referee Kelly disallowed the effort and awarded a free-kick against the City striker.
The Magpies tried to rally and legendary centre-forward Jackie Milburn shot over from
close range before York's winger Billy Fenton fired straight at Simpson when ideally
placed.
In the final moments of an incredibly exciting contest City keeper Tommy Forgan bravely dived at the feet of the dangerous Keeble, before the underdogs almost snatched glory at the death when Gordon Brown headed just wide from a last-minute corner.
The game ended all-square and York City made history by becoming the first ever Third
Division side to earn a replay at the semi-final stage.
Newcastle United: Simpson, Cowell, Batty, Scoular, Stokoe, Casey, White, Davies,
Keeble, Milburn, Mitchell
Goal: Keeble (14)
York City: Forgan, Phillips, Howe, Brown, Stewart, Spence, Hughes, Bottom,
Wilkinson, McNab, Fenton
Goal: Bottom (30)
Ref: J. Kelly (Chorley)
Att: 65,000
The Happy Wanderers (Part Six)
In season 1954-55 a little football club from the north of England shook the higher
echelons of the sporting world and in the process captured the hearts of a nation.
Minstermen.net is proud to pay tribute to the greatest ever York City team, a side that
brought such honour to our wonderful club.
Sixth Round - 12th March 1955
Notts County (0) 0 York City (0) 1
Having dispensed with London aristocrats Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round the
'Happy Wanderers' travelled to face Second Division Notts County in the FA Cup
quarter-finals. The Meadow Lane club were going well in their own league and had already accounted for Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and eventual First Division Champions Chelsea in the FA Cup.
An all-ticket crowd of 47,301 packed into the ground, 11,225 fans travelling south from
York.
Notts County's team included canny Scot Tom Johnston at left-half. Johnston would later prove to be arguably the most successful manager in York City's history.
York were once more unchanged as they fielded their first choice line-up for the
biggest game in their history to date.
The first half in particular was tight, with little goalmouth action as two strong
defences dominated proceedings.
Goal-machine Arthur Bottom had the ball in the net for the Minstermen after
ten minutes, but his effort was ruled offside.
The play was fast and furious in a tense contest, with neither side prepared to
concede ground as they battled for ultimate supremacy.
The Magpies thought they had taken the lead when inside-left Leverton fired past Tommy Forgan just after the interval, but he too was adjudged offside.
The home side were gaining the ascendency and beginning to seriously threaten to take
full control of the tie.
City were particularly indebted to right-back and captain Ernie Phillips, who led in
fine style, driving his team onward to greater heights.
Behind him the brilliant Forgan was magnificent in the York goal, denying the home
attack in superb fashion.
Gradually the York midfield began to take a degree of control and County keeper
Bradley was forced into a fine save to stop inside-left Sid Storey from scoring.
After 78 minutes York City netted one of the most famous goals in their proud
history after centre-half Leuty fouled the the bustling Norman Wilkinson just outside the penalty area.
Outside-right Billy Hughes took the free-kick from the right side of the box and
Storey's shot was deflected by Leuty into the path of ARTHUR BOTTOM, who fired home from close range.
It was perhaps fitting that the winner should come courtesy of an effort from probably
York City's greatest ever striker, with Bottom equalling the club goalscoring record with
his 31st goal of the season.
The 'Happy Wanderers' almost doubled their lead soon after when their brilliant
outside-left Billy Fenton shot wide of the target when well placed.
The final few minutes were unbelievably tense as County launched a final onslaught,
throwing everything forward in a last desperate bid to save the tie.
But the magnificent City defence held firm and the little Third Division club had
heroically fought their way through to the semi-finals of the world's greatest and most
prestigious cup competition.
The players were given a heroes reception upon their return to York, a crowd of
several hundred assembling to greet their all-conquering side.
Many people also congregated at the Railway Station to welcome the fourteen trains
that carried the triumphant York City supporters home.
Notts County: Bradley, Southwell, Deans, Adamson, Leuty, Johnston, Wills, Wylie,
Jackson, Leverton, Broadbent
Goals: none
York City: Forgan, Phillips, Howe, Brown, Stewart, Spence, Hughes, Bottom,
Wilkinson, Storey, Fenton
Goal: Bottom (78)
Ref: H. Haworth (Blackburn)
Att: 47,301
* The subsequent draw for the semi-finals of the FA Cup was as follows:
Manchester City v Sunderland (Villa Park)
York City v Huddersfield Town or Newcastle United (Hillsborough)
Red Rewind : Torquay United 1 York City 1
Back to Saturday 13th December 2003 for the Minstermen's visit to Torquay United,
where striker Lee Nogan's fifth goal of the season even prompted Father Christmas into
a celebration dance.
The Minstermen responded in positive fashion following their 'Darlo debacle' to claim a
share of the spoils at a blustery Plainmoor.
York are rapidly becoming the draw specialists in the division, with this latest effort
taking their total to seven over the course of their last nine league games.
Player-manager Chris Brass made two significant changes for the visit to the high-flying
Gulls, with Jon Parkin's inclusion at midfielder Stephen Brackstone's expense allowing
a switch to his preferred wing-back formation - the ex-Barnsley man lining up alongside Chris Smith and Brass himself at the heart of the York defence.
The hosts had the wind in their favour as the match kicked-off, though saw their hopes
of establishing a quick advantage swiftly blown off course as their opponents took an
early grip of the contest.
On loan striker Jon Shaw posted a prompt warning to the Devon side after five
minutes when his low 20-yard drive was turned around a post by Arjan Van Heusden. Darren Dunning's subsequent corner from the left saw Richard Cooper's deflected effort also claimed by the home keeper.
Two minutes later the Sheffield-born youngster was at it again as his left foot attempt
from a similar range forced another save from Torquay's Dutch custodian.
The hosts' first serious threat came on ten minutes, Alex Russell's low free-kick
from the right picking out star striker David Graham, who shot directly at Mark Ovendale from twelve-yards.
York were passing the ball around well and a sustained build-up ended with Cooper
sending an effort well off-target after Shaw had broken down the left. Darren Edmondson then tried his luck from around 35-yards, Van Heusden collecting comfortably.
Torquay were struggling to cope with the swirling wind, which though at their backs was
proving more of an inconvenience as their overall distribution suffered.
Van Heusden was forced to punch Dunning's short corner routine away on the half-hour,
Cooper's follow-up effort drifting harmlessly wide.
A light drizzle was making conditions even more unfavourable, though this proved of
little consequence to the lively Shaw, whose deflected drive prompted more action for
Van Heusden as Nogan prepared to profit from any slip.
The Minstermen almost claimed the advantage a minute from the interval when Dunning contested Edmondson's low cross - the loose ball falling to Shaw, who was unable to
defeat the keeper at point-blank range, with Lee Bullock striking the follow-up into the
side-netting.
United manager Leroy Rosenoir made a double substitution at the start of the
second-half, clearly concerned by events that he had so far witnessed.
Two minutes later his fears were handed firm foundation as York took the lead courtesy
of a strike of true 'route one' simplicity, when after Bullock nodded on Ovendale's strong punt downfield, home skipper Craig Taylor dropped a headed back-pass well-short of intended recipient Van Heusden.
Veteran striker NOGAN had already anticipated the error, immediately seizing onto
the opportunity of racing into the area before deftly lifting the ball over the stranded
keeper as he advanced from goal.
The former Welsh international's fifth strike of the season prompted scenes of wild
delight behind that same goal as around twenty Harrogate Minstermen - festively attired in Santa Claus costumes - led the celebrations.
However, Torquay were clearly determined to spoil any proposed party as they sought to
build on their recent fine record of three straight victories, midfielder Matthew Hockley
having a trademark 25-yard shot deflected wide, while visiting centre-back Chris Smith
produced a magnificent challenge to deny danger-man Graham after Brass had carelessly surrendered possession. From the resulting corner Gulls' forward Tony Bedeau fired well
wide.
The contest's defining moment took place on 56 minutes as City striker Shaw appeared to be taken down in the area before proceedings swiftly transferred to the opposite end,
where the hosts drew level after a diagonal ball forward was headed on by Russell, sending substitute Joe Broad scampering into the right-hand side of the six-yard box - his driven attempt across the face of goal being turned in by the unfortunate PARKIN, under close attention from Bedeau at the far post.
Both Parkin and Edmondson were cautioned in swift succession as the Minstermen
attempted to counter the elements, the blustery wind still providing major difficulties.
Bedeau nudged Brass off the ball on 72 minutes before lifting his header from
substitute Joe Kuffour's cross wide, while Edmondson's curled effort towards the top left-hand corner resulted in Cooper heading the ball back across, with Shaw unable to force home.
Keeper Ovendale then claimed well after the hosts right-back Lee Canoville had a shot
deflected, while with ten minutes remaining goalscorer Nogan made way for Gary Browne.
Midfield enforcer Dunning struck a 25-yard free-kick high and wide following a foul on
Shaw, before opposite number Russell attempted to secure a full points haul for his side
with two late efforts - crashing his first over the bar after Ovendale had failed to hold
under challenge, while his second from the edge of the area produced a vital save in the dying seconds from the City keeper.
Torquay United : Van Heusden, Canoville (Bernard 82), Woods, Taylor, McGlinchey,
Bedeau, Russell, Hockley, Benefield (Broad 46), Graham, Wills (Kuffour 46)
subs (unused) : Dearden, Camara
Goal : Parkin OG (57)
Booked : none
Stats : shots 7, on target 3, off target 4, fouls 11, corners 4
York City : Ovendale, Edmondson, Parkin, Brass, Smith, Merris, Cooper, Dunning,
Bullock, Shaw, Nogan (Browne 79)
subs (unused) : Porter, Law, Brackstone, Fox
Goal : Nogan (47)
Booked : Parkin (60), Edmondson (63)
Stats : shots 14, on target 8, off target 6, fouls 14, corners 10
Ref : K. Friend (Leicestershire)
Att : 2,564