Late double clinches York City’s first win of the season

A cagey display from York was eventually savoured as a quickfire double from Mark Kitching and Josh Stones brought a first three points of the season.

It was the visitors furthest league away match in their history – over 800 miles on an all round trip, as the Minstermen headed to Cornwall.

Truro were looking the more likely for large parts of the match, but York’s quality showed in the end as Kitching opened his account in City colours, slotting home after Malachi Fagan-Walcott’s shot was parried.

Soon after, substitute Stones followed suit when curling home from close-range after some patient passing involving Ollie Pearce and Joe Grey.

Hinshelwood elected to make one change for York’s furthest away match of the season, with Ash Palmer dropping to the bench, to be replaced by midfielder Alex Hunt.

Hunt’s re-introduction into the side meant that Joe Felix dropped back into his natural right-back position, whilst Malachi Fagan-Walcott shifted back into right-back.

York remain without Greg Olley, who is believed to be a minimum of another three weeks away from a return to training, whilst Mo Fadera missed out against through an abdominal strain injury.

Truro were playing a first-ever home match at this level, and despite the incredible distance between the two teams, there was a recognisable face in the dugout and in the changing room.

John Askey was the mastermind behind Truro’s promotion from the Enterprise National League South last season, having clinched the title on the final day of the campaign.

His side also included former York defender Sam Sanders, who started on the bench for the Tinners.

Both had helped the Minstermen to their 2022 promotion from the Enterprise National League North, before reuniting at Truro after their York departures.

Askey also elected for one change after Truro started their season with a 2-0 defeat at Wealdstone, with striker Tyler Harvey picking up aknock.

That saw Lirak Hasani start for the hosts, who impressed on their home debut in the National League.

They shot an early warning sign York’s way when Dom Johnson-Fisher, who was a thorn in the visitors side for large parts of the game, was beaten to a loose ball in the area within the opening minute.

The wind was having a clear effect on both teams with aerial balls being impacted by the brisk air of Cornwall, but another early frustration for Hinshelwod’s side was their final ball – which was consistently being intercepted by Truro.

Alex Newby had two chances in the second-half. (Image: York City FC) It was on show when Alex Newby, Joe Felix and Kitching all had crosses cut out by either the defenders or Lavercombe, whilst Truro slowly grew into the contest.

York had their first attempt on goal when a Felix cross was met by Pearce, but his volleyed strike was wayward of the target.

A cross-shot from Felix then skidded across the face of goal, before Johnson-Fisher had the biggest chance of the first-half.

As he drove past Callum Howe and into the area, he scuffed his strike when going one-on-one with Harrison Male, to the dismay of the home support.

Sinclair had York’s only shot of the target in an otherwise bleak first-half, as he drove to the edge of the area and saw his initial strike blocked, before his follow up header was held by Lavercombe.

There was clear improvement needed from York in the second-half, with tensions high as Truro searched for a first win at this level.

Hinshelwood’s half-time alterations looked as if they may be beneficial early on in the second-half, as Sinclair’s pass into Newby allowed the winger to break through on goal, only to slice his strike over the Aqua Rod Eastern Stand.

Newby would be feeling the frustration again when a one-two between Ollie Banks and Kitching allowed the latter to reach the byline, with his cutback finding Newby.

However, with time on his side, Newby’s attempt from close-range was straight at the well-positioned Lavercombe.

Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain’s long throw-in was causing York problems, and he came closest to forcing a breakthrough when a nick from Howe dropped inches over the York crossbar.

Any hope of an opener was slowly dwindling in Cornwall, forcing Hinshelwood to turn to his bench, introducing Stones, Joe Grey and Ashley Nathaniel-George.

They had an impact as Nathaniel-George squared to Pearce, whose venomous effort was parried, before Stones was kept out on the rebound.

But York had some reward for the long distance their fans had travelled from the resulting corner, as Grey’s cross was flicked goalwards by Fagan-Walcott, and pushed into the path of Kitching who slotted home.

York were again celebrating as they scored a quickfire second to put the result beyond doubt, with a mix of Grey, Pearce and Stones seeing the latter slide the ball home from inside the Truro area.

A first three points of the season for the Minstermen, who occupy seventh position after two matches.

York City were made to battle for a first win of the season in blustery conditions in Cornwall. (Image: York City FC) TRURO CITY: Lavercombe, Bell, Dean, Riley-Lowe, Law, Rooney, Johnson-Fisher (Taylor, 79), Oxlade-Chamberlain, En-Neyah (Starkie, 79), Hasani (Pyke, 85), Jephcott

Subs not used: Sanders, Love-Holmes, Sanogo, Stone

Yellow Cards: Rooney (42), Bell (54)

YORK CITY: Male 7, Felix 7, Fagan-Walcott 7, Howe 6, Kitching 8, Hunt 6 (Grey, 61), Boateng 6, Banks 6, Newby 6 (Nathaniel-George 6, 73), Pearce 6, Sinclair 6 (Stones 7, 73)

Subs not used: Sykes-Kenworthy, Fallowfield, Palmer, Brookes

Goals: Kitching (84), Stones (87)

Yellow Cards: Boateng (78), Stones (88)

York’s Star Man: Mark Kitching

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis

Attendance: 3,065

Shots (On Target): 4 (1) | 7 (5)

Corners: 5 | 7

Offsides: 0 | 1

Fouls: 9 | 10