Patchwork grit gets point

DESPITE a side as makeshift as a Blue Peter advent crown York City deserved a badge for courage.

City were as rigid in their resolve to end their home zero-zone malaise as sticky back plastic. Not getting all their own way they had to settle for another draw.

But their second successive share-all at Bootham Crescent was decorated with considerable commitment and drive. And if heart can be taken from anything it should be grasped from the final hour of Saturday's tussle.

City's home record - four wins in 22 League and Cup games this year - is poorer than a Third World Republic. But mitigating circumstances surrounded the Northampton visit.

As feared midfielder Scott Jordan was unable to beat a knee injury. But there was even worse from the treatment room.

Goalkeeper Andy Warrington was discovered to have fractured three bones in his right hand, so by kick-off City only had 15 fit players, one of whom was replacement 'keeper Bobby Mimms.

When City needed a dose of who dares wins, they were beset by who's fit plays. No less than seven City seniors were out.

For manager Alan Little options were as small as his surname. There must have been a temptation to enlist former goal hero Alf Patrick, introduced to the crowd before the match as a 'guest' one week and 50 years on from his five-goal feat in a 6-1 rout of Rotherham.

As it was City started in a 4-3-3 system in which they are largely unversed. And with both opponents struggling a classic was not expected. Confidence was as much lacking as key personnel.

Northampton started the brighter largely because City were in slight disarray, unfamiliar with two banks of three in front of their four-strong backline.

Possession of the ball was elusive and during the opening half-hour of uncertainty City they drew heavily on the tenacity of Martin Reed.

From his involvement he was robustness personified. He put in several marrow-rattling challenges, one of Tony Adams-type authority to dispossess Chris Lee and halt a slick first-time move.

With City unable to get their midfield into contention Reed was also the keenest source of attack, a range of long passes stretching the Cobblers' rearguard.

As the first-half wore on City gradually became more assured in their unlikely system. Yet a catalyst was still needed.

Mark Tinkler was the fomenter. In a stirring break from half-way he surged past two men manoeuvring himself to shoot. Though the final effort lacked pace and placement it galvanised the hosts, who soon after almost crept into the lead.

Neil Woods intelligently sprayed a low pass into Richard Cresswell's path. He nipped back inside letting loose a drive which whizzed past goalkeeper Billy Turley only for defender Ian Sampson to retreat and hack the ball away within a yard of the goal-line in an otherwise uneventful first-half.

The second-half was a huge improvement, though defender Andy McMillan might not agree.

On the hour City suffered a savage blow of their own making. McMillan, City's most experienced player, recklessly hurled himself at Dave Savage flooring him when all he needed do was usher him from danger. Canadian Carlo Corazzin's spot-kick cracked past Mimms.

But rather than prove as souffl-soft as an England batting line-up City's skeletal squad battled to put flesh on their advances. After a brace of Tinkler headers flew into Turley's grasp they levelled with a goal that typified the Minstermen's desire.

Cresswell's unquenchable appetite enabled him to retrieve a lost cause. He rolled the ball to Steve Agnew, who dispatched a pass to the overlapping Martin Garratt enjoying his best outing as an emergency left-back.

Bang, his instant cross was met on the full by Neil Tolson. Amazingly Turley parried the header, but Cresswell's forehead thumped in the rebound for his 13th goal of the season.

'Aye oh City, City aye oh' belted out as a grandstand finish beckoned. Cresswell had another header heaved off the line, substitute Rodney Rowe's hip-swivelling shot on the turn only inches off target.

Not a vintage display by any means, but at least a vibrant one which almost vanquished adversity.

MATCH NOTES:

9min: Northampton striker Carlo Corazzin directs a tame nod to Bobby Mimms from Ali Gibb cross.

36min: Storming 30-yard run from Mark Tinkler, who cuts in and a clips a curler straight to Billy Turley.

37min: Neil Woods cleverly feeds Richard Cresswell whose low shot beats Turley only for Ian Sampson to slide the ball off the line.

48min: Woods drills in low shot which Turley fields to his right.

49min: Brilliant through pass from Andy McMillan puts Cresswell clear only for Colin Hill to just clear. City don't even get the corner they merit.

57min: Lee Howey makes complete hash of chance ten yards out hoofing the ball high over the bar.

62min: McMillan rashly brings down Dave Savage and Corazzin smashes in the penalty. 0-1.

66min: Great spin from Neil Tolson foxes two defenders, but his attempted bender flies too high.

71min: Cresswell nods in after Turley's point-blank save from Tolson's fierce header. 1-1.

82min: Cresswell gets in another header, but Gibb scrambles the effort off the goal-line.

84min: Rodney Rowe shows strength to turn his marker, his swivel-shot flying a foot wide.

FAN'S PANEL 1998-99

'Do you think the fan's forum is a good idea?'

Matt McCartney, age 20

It is an excellent idea and it's about time. The impression you get is that what Douglas Craig says, goes. Over the years fans who have voiced their complaints have not got decent answers. Now they should.

Ruth Reynolds, age 37

Something has got to be sorted out, so yes. Whether or not fans will get straight answers I don't know, but we need to clear the air otherwise we are going to be back in relegation difficulties.

Alex Bedingham, age 15

The forum will give supporters a chance to express their thoughts on the team's performances and hopefully give the club an idea of what is required to resolve the problems and turn the season around.

TAP & SPILE MAN OF THE MATCH

Martin Reed.

Exceptional performance from the young defender. From the very first tackle he was sharp, abrasive and full of the will to win.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.