York make most of their lifeline to see off Moors

York City, fortunate to force a replay thanks to a last-minute goal on Saturday, made no mistakes at the second attempt as they crushed Solihull Moors, Mattie Blair their star with two well-taken second-half goals as York qualified for a second-round visit to Salisbury.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Dec 2011, 08:45 BST

York recalled Danny Parslow and Chris Smith in a 3-5-2 formation, the first time manager Gary Mills has tried this during his tenure, with Smith, normally a centre-back, playing in midfield.

And it was Smith who gave York the tonic of an 11th-minute goal, Scott Kerr crossing from the left and Smith chesting the ball down before turning quickly to fire into the right-hand corner.

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David McGurk and James Meredith were cautioned in Solihull raids then Blair shot across goal from a narrow angle before having a header saved.

The York defence dealt comfortably with Solihull raids – Michael Ingham holding Jordan Fitzpatrick’s curling shot under the bar before saving another lob from Danny Spencer.

York went further ahead in the 61st minute when Paddy McLaughlin produced a superb crossfield pass for Blair to run through and flick the ball past the on-rushing Jasbir Singh.

York were well on top and it was no surprise when they went further ahead on 66 minutes when Meredith crossed from the left for Blair to score with a brilliant volley into the top corner.

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Solihull Moors: Singh: Karonji, Pierpoint (Broadhurst 85), Spencer, Francis, Fitzpatrick, Hurren, Blackwood, Johnson, Walker (Beswick 70), Morris (Jackson 77). Unused substitutes: Acton, Hinton.

York City: Ingham; Parslow, McGurk, Fyfield, Kerr, Smith, McLaughlin (Pilkington 87), Meredith, Blair (Moke 82), Walker. Unused substitutes: Ashikodi, Potts, Boucaud.

Referee: R Whitton (Essex)

Related topics:YorkChris SmithGary Mills