COASTERS PLAY PARTY POOPERS
THEY may have walked out into the impressive new LNER Community Stadium for the first time in total silence, but York City boss Steve Watson admits the club’s big occasion may still have got to his players after they crashed to humbling 3-1 defeat to promotion rivals AFC Fylde on Tuesday night.
The Minstermen began a new era after taking to the field of their new 8,500-seater arena, ending their 88-year stay at Bootham Crescent.
But opening night didn’t exactly go to plan as Fylde’s Nick Haughton played party pooper with a pair of excellent free-kicks in the second half to ensure Jim Bentley’s Coasters closed the gap on leaders Gloucester City at the top of the table.
Centre-back Alex Whitmore wrote himself into the history books on the stroke of half-time when driving home the stadium’s first-ever goal from an injury-time corner.
Haughton, who this week signed a new deal to extend his stay with the Coasters, then doubled the lead on 58 minutes – his free-kick effort pinging off the crossbar and cannoning off Pete Jameson before dribbling over the line.
On-loan striker Gabby McGill – son of York chairman
Jason McGill, who drove the stadium project – registered the hosts’ first shot on target before captain Sean Newton fittingly became the first York player to score at the club’s new home from the penalty spot after Jack Redshaw was brought down.
Haughton, however, then put the game to bed with an even better free-kick 13 minutes from time.
“I was really disappointed with the first-half performance, I didn’t think we were anywhere near brave enough on the ball,” Watson said. “We tended to be stretching for the ball and everyone seemed to be in a panic. We’ve got some good players and they don’t need to play like that.
“When lads get on a brand new pitch in a new stadium you don’t know what goes through their heads, so maybe the occasion had a bearing.
“Neither keeper had a great deal to do from open play. Two bits of absolute quality won it.”
Dogged
In the only other National League North game to go ahead, second-half goals from new signing Michael Bakare and Chris Camwell helped Hereford to a 2-0 home win over Brackley Town.
In the National League, Hartlepool United missed the chance to cut the gap at the top to five points with a game in hand after they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Eastleigh.
Ben House gave the Spitfires the best possible start with a goal inside 30 seconds before Tyrone Barnett doubled Eastleigh’s lead just before the half-hour mark.
Dave Challinor’s Pools’ dug in but the 300-mile midweek trip clearly took its toll, even though Joe Grey pulled a goal back in stoppage-time.
Jake Reeves’ second-half strike was enough to see
Notts County see off a dogged King’s Lynn Town and move up to third, while
Stockport County were held 0-0 at Maidenhead United.
Wrexham continued their charge by moving up to sixth with a 2-0 home win over
Woking. Dior Angus and a Luke Young penalty either side of the break earned the Dragons the points.
Solihull Moors returned to winning ways – and earned some FA Trophy revenge – with a 3-1 victory over
Aldershot Town the EBB Stadium.
Goals from Jamie Ward, Alex
Gudger and Adam Rooney deemed Josh Rees’ goal back as mere consolation.
Boreham Wood came close to mounting a memorable fightback, but ultimately fell short, as they went down 3-2 at home to much-improved
Yeovil Town.
First-half goals from Rhys Murphy, Reuben Reid (penalty) and Josh Neufville put the Glovers in firm control before a Kabongo Tshimanga penalty and Gus Mafuta effort set up a thrilling finale.
Bottom club Barnet finally ended their eight-match losing ruin with a much-needed 2-1 home win over FC Halifax Town. Michael Petrasso and Anthony Wordsworth put the Bees two goals up at the break, and not even Jeff King’s goal back could prevent Tim Flowers from earning a first win in charge.
Liam Gordon’s 25th-minute was enough to help Dagenham & Redbridge to a vital win over Bromley.