Mills hails Minstermen as they finally end the curse of part-timers

York City’s Gary Mills hailed his side as “without question the best I have had in my time as a manager” following this comfortable victory.

Mills, previously in charge at Grantham, Notts County, Alfreton and Tamworth, has taken his talented squad of players up to third as he aims to achieve his ambition of promotion to the Football League.

York have struggled against part-time opposition this season, losing to Alfreton, Telford and Tamworth and drawing with Southport, but there were no problems on Saturday with the Minstermen virtually settling the uneven contest with a sparkling first 25 minutes which saw them lead 2-0.

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Lowly Hayes and Yeading simply could not cope. In their temporary home at Woking while their new ground is being built, they have only a handful of supporters, just 225 turning up in comparison to York’s 300 travelling fans and they will do well to survive at this level.

Jason Walker took his total to 15 for the season with a super 14th-minute free-kick into the top corner, but then had to go off with a worrying Achilles tendon injury.

Right-back Jon Challinor scored his first goal for the club with a low 20-yard shot five minutes later.

Slack marking led to Hayes narrowing the gap on 45 minutes through Louie Soares’s header, but York recovered from their only uncertain spell either side of half-time with a fine goal from Paddy McLaughlin on 61 minutes and with Ashley Chambers making it 4-1 from Adriano Moke’s pass in the 76th before a defensive blunder saw Luke Williams gain some consolation for Hayes in stoppage time.

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“We played very well and created a lot of chances, but we need to address the defensive errors which are costing us,” said Mills.

Hayes & Yeading United: Arnold; Franks (Argent 81), Cadmore, Ujah, John; Bentley, Mackie (Collins 46), Crockford (Lee 68); Williams, Pacquette, Soares. Unused substitutes: Preddie, Legg.

York City: Ingham; Challinor, Smith, Fyfield, Meredith; Kerr, Boucaud, McLaughlin (Potts 87); Blair, Walker (Moke 36), Chambers (Reed 79). Unused substitutes: McGurk, Parslow.

Referee: S Martin (Stafford).

Man of the match: Scott Kerr.