Pitchero Non League

An instantly forgettable first 45 minutes was followed by a thoroughly entertaining second period in which the Minstermen, who are back under the Arch next Sunday for the Blue Square Bet Premier Promotion Play-Off final, were the dominant force against Newport County.

Newport started the game the better and really should have taken the lead within 10 minutes through Romone Rose, who broke clear of the last defender following Sam Foley’s dummy. However, his finish was poor though, side-footing straight at York ‘keeper Michael Ingham.

York weathered that early storm though and almost opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Patrick McLaughlin struck a left-footer from just outside the area, which took a deflection to wrong-foot Glyn Thompson. Fortunately for the Welshmen, it rolled just wide of the post.

Rose came a little closer just after the half-hour mark, when he cut in from the left and fired in a shot from 25 yards which went narrowly over. Moments later, Nat Jarvis on the opposite side collected a pass from Foley before placing a curling effort just wide of the post.

Just before the break County Thompson was at full-stretch to keep out Jon Challinor’s low strike.

The deadlock was finally broken just after the hour-mark. City defender Dan Parslow won the ball back in his own half before clipping a pass over the Newport defence. Matty Blair was quickly onto it from deep, beating Thompson to the ball and lifting it over him and into the net.

Seven minutes later and City doubled their advantage, as Ashley Chambers skipped clear down the right before crossing into the centre for man of the match Lanre Oyebanjo to net from close range.

Newport gave everything in a bid to get back in the game and they were denied by the post in the 88th minute when Ismail Yakubu guided a header in a crowded box over Thompson, only to see it bounce back off the woodwork and out to safety.

York were worthy winners, but County deserved their applause from the Exiles` fans at the end of the game.