Ollie Banks reaps the rewards of freedom during York City debut

Banks played a key part as York were unlucky to not taste a first three points of the season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Sutton United, as a late equaliser from Brandon Njoku denied City an opening day win.

York had led when Ollie Pearce had finished from the penalty spot, although he couldn’t complete the feat a second time in the first-half.

Sutton’s leveller came before half-time through David Ogbonna, before a mix of Callum Howe and a Sutton defender saw City take the lead again from a corner kick.

Njoku’s late goal came after York failed to clear from a long throw-in, with City therefore having to settle for an opening day point.

Despite it not being the fairytale start to the season that Banks and his teammates will have wanted, there were still encouraging signs from the performance, and in particular Banks, who stood out in the middle of the park for the Minstermen.

His movement and quick touches in the advanced midfield area is a token given to Banks by manager Hinshelwood, who is allowing the 32-year-old freedom in the City side – something that Banks is relishing, having never had the role before.

“Possibly not no [done the role before], it’s refreshing,” Banks told BBC York.

“He’s obviously seen something in me, where if I’m given that license to go around on the ball and make things happen, he’s obviously seen that.

“As long as I repay that trust, keep producing the chances, hopefully he gives me that license.

“I was happy, I’d have liked a few more shots on goal, but I felt like I created a lot.

“The all round play was good, so yeah, I’m happy.

“I like to move the ball quick, create chances for others, I don’t like to hold onto the ball too much as I’m not the quickest!”

City weren’t able to get the opening day three points that they were wishing for, with Banks admitting that it was a frustration that York’s dominance on the ball wasn’t rewarded.

Whilst the standard of goals that the Minstermen conceded was also a disappointment for the players, Banks refused to place any blame on the back line for any ‘lapses in confidence’.

“Overall, I thought we dominated the game, passes, possession, final third entries, shots on goal, crosses, everything.

“Everything you need to win a game of football, we knocked off at two key stages.

“It’s not all on the back lads, it’s the organisation in front and killing the game off.

“We had enough chances in the first-half to put us out of sight and we didn’t do it.

“It is the first game of the season with a lot of new lads, and you can see that we’ve gelled well already.

“I’m happy, but disappointed at the same time.

“We said after the game that we defended the box really well, that’s what they pray on, long throws, balls into the box and set-pieces, and we dealt with it brilliant.

“Cal [Callum Howe], Ash [Palmer], Malachi [Fagan-Walcott], Kitch [Mark Kitching], even the lads around it as well, they dealt with it fantastic.

“It was just that momentary lapse in concentration that cost us, we’ll have a look at it and we’ll improve on it.”