York City battle back from a goal down to beat Bromley 2-1

A Billy Bingham own goal and a late header from Duku at the death cancelled out Omar Sowunmi’s first-half opener for Bromley.

The win means that City, who have picked up 10 points from the last 12 available, are unbeaten in four games, as they denied Bromley from picking up what would have been their fifth victory in six matches.

Both sides nearly scored within the opening minute, with Adam Marriott and Maziar Kouhyar inches away from notching the first goal of the game.

Despite going a goal down as Bromley grew into the game, York though remained resilient and fought back in the second half.

The introduction of Duku on the hour proved the turning point, with the substitute offering more speed, strength and height to the City attack alongside Lenell John-Lewis.

With barely a minute left in regular time, centre-back Maxim Kouogun was dismissed for a second yellow card, but despite the numerical disadvantage the Minstermen found a late winner.

The three points move York into seventh, the last of the Vanarama National League play-off places and, while City will not be getting carried with such a position, this was a further indication of how well they are adapting to life in the fifth tier after five seasons away.

To have come from behind to earns the points will be especially pleasing to manager John Askey, who has already seen his side rally back to earn points against Solihull Moors and Oldham Athletic this season.

Both City and Bromley returned to the field after the weekend off, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with the Minstermen's starting 11 unchanged from the 1-0 win at Yeovil Town 10 days ago.

Bromley looked to carve out a chance immediately from kick-off, when Adam Marriott produced a low, tame and easy shot for City goalkeeper Ethan Ross to claim.

Seconds later, Olly Dyson played a well-executed, chipped through-ball to Ryan Fallowfield down the right wing.

The right-back’s cross was driven across and went beyond Lenell John-Lewis, finding Kouhyar at the edge of the box.

The winger unleashed a curling shot that fizzed just wide of the far post in what was perhaps York’s best chance of the half.

City continued their high press throughout the opening stages of the game, forcing Bromley into conceding a corner.

Kouhyar’s cross was claimed by Reice Charles-Cook, though the Lilywhites goalkeeper dropped the ball before gathering it comfortably.

Corey Whitely’s long range strike forced Ross into action, his diving save denying the visitors from opening the scoring.

Kouhyar soon found the ball at his feet on the left, driving beyond two Ravens defenders as he charged down the wing.

His cross though was too deep, curling beyond any City shirts waiting in the box.

Mere minutes afterwards, John-Lewis made enough space to have a shot on goal, but his attempt was a simple one for Charles-Cook to claim.

Bromley came close to opening the scoring just after the half-hour mark. Harry Forster whipped in a brilliant ball from the left, hoping to find Michael Cheek in the box.

Somehow, the striker could not connect with the ball, which sailed beyond the box and behind for a goal kick.

From there, City looked to break forward once more. Mitch Hancox played the ball down the left for Alex Hurst, who’s pressure in the first half had been particularly impressive.

The winger found Kouhyar, whose shot was on target and forced Charles-Cook to dive, but it was blocked before it reached the Bromley shot-stopper.

The Lilywhites won a free-kick just inside the York half with under 10 minutes remaining in the half.

James Vennings fired the ball into the City box and it soon found Sowunmi, who rifled a shot into the bottom left corner.

City could not find a response with the little time they had left in the first half and their start to the second half was slow.

The Ravens looked to, once again, score from a deep free-kick and though it was threatening, York put it behind for a corner, eventually clearing the danger.

Whitely broke through the City defence only moments later but was denied a goal by a brilliant save from Ross.

City were lucky to not be down by two after a poor Sam Sanders pass was intercepted by Marriott.

Bromley’s number 10 drove into the box but his effort was straight at Ross.
Duku was introduced on the hour and immediately made a difference, battling for aerial balls and injecting some more speed into the attack.

A Hancox cross deflected behind for a corner, which Kouhyar whipped into the box.

The ball hit Bingham in the box and ricocheted into the goal, drawing York level.

City continued with their efforts after equalising and Duku was soon involved in a scuffle with Sowunmi, the Bromley defender pushing into the attacker and receiving a yellow card.

The visitors came close to re-taking the lead in the closing stages. Cheek found himself unmarked and would have scored were it not for a superb sliding tackle from Sanders.

In the midst of stoppage time, having seen Kouogun sent off, a corner was delivered well, finding the head of Duku who thundered an effort beyond Charles-Cook at the death.

York City: Ross, 8, Fallowfield, 7, Kouogun, 7, Kerr, 7, Sanders, 7, Hancox, 7 (Whittle 77’), Dyson, 8 (Greaves 90’), Pybus, 7, Kouhyar, 7, John-Lewis (C), 7 , Hurst, 7 (Duku 60’, 8)

Unused subs: Burgess, Whitley

Goals: Bingham (og) (63’), Duku (90’)

Red cards: Kouogun (89’)

Bromley: Charles-Cook, Reynolds, Bingham, Sowunmi, Arthurs (Dennis 73’), Cheek, Marriott (Alexander 87’), Webster (C), Whitely, Forster, Vennings (Coleman 67’)

Unused subs: Hannam, Bradshaw

Goals: Sowunmi (38’)

Yellow cards: Reynolds (38’), Forster (59’), Sowunmi (67’), Bingham (81’)

York City’s star man: Manny Duku. The attacker was brought on from the bench and made an immediate impact, eventually scoring the winning goal for City.

Shots (on target): 6 (2) | 8 (6)

Corners: 8 | 7

Offsides: 0 | 1

Fouls committed: 9 | 6

Attendance: 3,492

Referee: Aaron Bannister