IT’S BUCK BOARD AS CITY TUMBLE
YORK CITY kicked-off life in National League North with an unwanted home defeat as Matthew Barnes-Homer rolled back the years.
The Bucks, who won only two away league games during the whole of last season, took maximum points with keeper Jas Singh earning a deserved clean sheet after brilliantly thwarting Minstermen trio Hamza Bencherif, Amari MorganSmith and Josh Low.
It was the perfect start for former Aston Villa and Wolves defender Rob Edwards in his first permanent managerial position, after he succeeded Rob Smith at the Shropshire side over the summer.
Toasting his maiden triumph, the 34-year-old, former Wales international enthused: “I want to congratulate the whole of my squad as every single one of them did themselves and the club proud.
“Their togetherness, work-rate, desire and spirit was fantastic. They put their bodies on the line, because that’s what’s required.
“Any team that’s successful and wins cups or leagues shows that desire. We came up against a lot of long balls and throws but, if we didn’t win the first ball, we won the second.”
York enjoyed the better of the first half before falling behind to Barnes-Homer’s 44th-minute sucker punch.
Veteran striker Jon Parkin headed against the crossbar from an inswinging Sean Newton free-kick, with Singh then saving smartly from Bencherif, whose follow-up attempt was blocked.
Seconds later, MorganSmith’s header was clawed away from under his own crossbar by the former Gloucester net-minder but, having weathered the storm, Telford threatened when Will Marsh fired a diagonal effort across the face of goal just past the half-hour mark.
As the break approached, the lively John Marsden then beat Bencherif through the right channel and his low
cross was snaffled up by Barnes-Homer inside the sixyard box.
York’s best effort for an equaliser came on 90 minutes when Law’s thunderous free kick was tipped over by a flying Singh.
Offering his analysis, home boss Mills lamented: “It wasn’t the performance we wanted. The first half was OK and we passed the ball well and created a few chances with their keeper pulling off some good saves.
“But I thought our second half smacked of desperation a little bit and that’s what we’re about, so we have to bounce back now at Blyth.”