York City player ratings in 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers shaped by first-half substitution
York City started life back in the Football League with a rip-roaring 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers when they worked out how to turn their dominance into goals.
A shift which saw Alex Newby come off the bench and Ollie Pearce move more central was the key as the Minstermen came from behind to beat Steve Evans’ hotly-tipped side.
Here is how the home players rated.
Alfie McNally – might be frustrated he did not keep out the opening goal, but a big save quickly after reflected well on him 6
Morgan Williams – a couple of really important bits of defending 7
Zak Johnson – caught out once trying to dribble out but made a heroic late block to keep it at 3-2 6
Mark Kitching – became an extra midfielder at times as York pushed forward 7
Joe Felix – outstanding at wing-back., working relentlessly and even winning headers against much bigger opponents 8
Ollie Banks – saw plenty of the ball in his new role, but too deep to really make it count 6
Alex Hunt – provided good energy and set pieces 6
Harry Boyes – conceded a soft penalty but goals either side of it more than made up for it 8
Joe Grey – was a real nuisance in his inside-right role 7
Ollie Pearce – uncharacteristically missed a couple of good chances, but looked much more effective when switched from inside-left to centre-forward just before the break 7
Dipo Akinyemi – not fully fit and it showed 6
Substitutes:
Alex Newby (for Akinyemi, 44) – had a real impact and has already found a brilliant understanding with Boyes; would have scored higher hasd he played longer 7
Arthur Read (for A Hunt, 68) – did a steady job 5
Zech Medley (for Boyes, 83) – N/A
Not used: Fallowfield, King, Sykes-Kenworthy, McArthur.