| Match report Vs York CityVenue: Boothham CrescentDate: 15-09-18Att: 2404 (away fans: 116) |
Ed Williams double takes us to second in the table
Report: Harriershane
If you listened to certain people, including York City caretaker manager Sam Collins, Harriers only possess “three or four good players at this level”. I wonder who they are?
Ed Williams would certainly be one of them and the in-form midfielder put in a man of the match display to help the Harriers leave Bootham Crescent for the last time as 3-0 victors, handing the Minstermen their worst home defeat at National League North level in the process.
Manager Neil MacFarlane kept faith in the same team that beat Blyth Spartans last time out; Kennedy Digie retaining his position at the back with Ryan Johnson taking his place on the bench following his exploits with Northern Ireland Under 21’s. For York there was surprise for some as Jon Parkin was named amongst the substitutes. Former Harrier Adam Bartlett was in goal and Russ Penn was suspended for this game.
Harriers flew out of the blocks looking to dominate the play and quickly silence the 2404 crowd. The game was only twelve minutes old when the band of 116 travelling Harriers fans were celebrating. A Declan Weeks corner was headed out to the edge of the box where Ed Williams was lurking before curling in an exquisite effort from twenty five yards out, leaving Bartlett with no chance.
Joel Taylor and Ashley Chambers both had efforts before York embarked on a short spell of their own. Joe Tait and Jake Wright both diverted efforts goalwards but on both occasions the attackers were in an offside position. Half an hour had elapsed when Joel Taylor was presented with a chance but the full back was only able to side foot wide following good work from Lee Vaughan.
On the stroke of half time Williams, and Harriers, doubled the lead. York had been unable to cope with Ed’s trickery and so it proved once again as he picked the ball up midway in the home half and drove at the defence before firing a shot across goal and in, perhaps off a deflection.
HT: 0 – 2
York made a double change at half time with Jon Parkin and Sean Newton coming on as they looked to mount a comeback. In truth, Harriers only looked troubled when Kallum Griffiths struck the post from range.
Two minutes after that it was three and Joe Ironside ended his mini drought, curling the ball low past Bartlett from fifteen yards after Williams had been scythed down as Harriers broke. The ball broke to Weeks who fed Ironside and the finish was never really in doubt.
With an hour on the clock Ironside could have doubled his tally only to be denied by a smart save by the home keeper. Harriers then saw out the remaining twenty minutes of the game with the minimum of fuss; Brandon Hall claiming well when called upon.
Harriers remain unbeaten nine games into the season with a game in hand on leaders Chorley. The rearranged game with Chester at the Deva awaits us on Tuesday night after their 2-0 away win at Boston United and will be a mouthwatering prospect as we look to close the nine point gap between first and second.
FT: 0 – 3
Goals for Harriers: Williams 12, 45, Ironside 56
The Harriers Online MotM is: Ed Williams
Talk about the game here
Latest table and stats here
| York City | Goals | Subs | Time | Cards |
| Bartlett | ||||
| Griffiths | ||||
| Ferguson | ||||
| Bencherif | ||||
| Tait | ||||
| Moké |  | 63 | ||
| Law | ||||
| Heslop | ||||
| Wright |  | 46 | ||
| Langstaff | ||||
| McAughtrie |  | 46 | ||
| Subs: | ||||
| Whitley | ||||
| Burrow | ||||
| Newton |  | 46 | ||
| York |  | 63 | ||
| Parkin |  | 46 | ||
| Harriers | Goals | Subs | Time | Cards |
| Hall | ||||
| Vaughan | ||||
| Taylor | ||||
| Horsfall | ||||
| O’Connor | ||||
| Digie | ||||
| Weeks | ||||
| Daniels | ||||
| Ironside |  | | 72 | |
| Chambers | | 72 | ||
| Williams | | | 80 | |
| Subs: | ||||
| Richards | | 72 | ||
| Bradley | | 72 | ||
| Baxendale | | 80 | ||
| Austin | ||||
| Johnson | ||||
| Referee: | ||||
| Mr Adam Williamson | ||||
| Durham | ||||