York City boss pleased to see Ollie Pearce reaping rewards of efforts

The Minstermen made an emphatic return to Vanarama National League action as a Pearce double, alongside second-half strikes from Tyrese Sinclair and Leeds United loanee Luca Thomas secured their biggest win of the season.

Pearce’s brace was his second in as many matches after starring in last weekend’s FA Cup win at Biggleswade FC, taking his tally to seven in his fledgling season in the sport’s fifth tier.

With a record of 43 goals in 46 appearances at Worthing in the Vanarama National League South last term, Hinshelwood admitted some had questioned whether Pearce could continue his prolific form in a higher league, having made the step up alongside teammates Joe Felix and Ricky Aguiar.

And with Dipo Akinyemi yet to get off the mark in the National League this season and Lenell John-Lewis ruled out through injury, he is delighted that the striker is proving his worth.

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“I think that’s seven in all competitions for him now,” lauded the City boss.

“People would have definitely been in doubt at whether he could do it at this level, and one thing I think with Ollie’s game is that no matter if the goals come, his work rate up top has been superb. He’s really led the line well for us.

“I thought that Ricky was good as well today, I think it was his best game for us, and he’s shown signs of what he can do.

“His little round the corner for Ollie’s first goal was a really good ball and he tucked it away.

“Maybe a couple of weeks ago, he probably wouldn’t have taken it so calmly, the first goal. But that’s what he does when he gets confident, he definitely knows where the back of the net is. Long may that continue.

“He is a really intelligent player, for someone who’s never been a pro before, I think that’s one thing that all the boys are a bit shocked at, his intelligence as a player.

“He knows the right passes – they don’t always come off – but you can see he’s trying to do all the right things.

“He can be a big player for us, I’m delighted that now he’s getting the rewards for his efforts.”

Pearce took his tally to seven in all competitions with his second brace in as many matches. (Image: Tom Poole) Ebbsfleet started the better of the sides but could count themselves lucky not to have given away a penalty after skipper Josh Wright appeared to have tripped Sinclair inside the box just after the quarter-hour.

They were then indebted to a stunning double save from goalkeeper Mark Cousins to thwart both Aguiar and Sinclair before the former fed Pearce to finish back across goal four minutes before the break.

Fleet passed up chances to equalise in the minutes after the break, not least after the returning Harrison Male had stood tall to deny Kwame Thomas one-on-one.

But City eventually showed their class.

Pearce’s right-wing cross was expertly turned home by Sinclair on the volley with 17 minutes remaining before debutant Thomas forced a save from Cousins, only for the rebound to fall at the former Worthing striker’s feet to score his second.

Thomas then got in on the act himself in the sixth minute of stoppage time, running onto Alex Hunt’s pass before emphatically finishing into the bottom corner in what was a memorable National League bow.

Leeds United loanee Luca Thomas made an impressive start to life at City. (Image: Tom Poole) Despite only having joined the club on a youth loan in midweek, if his first minutes are anything to go by, City seem to have a young gem on their hands.

“He does [look calm in front of goal],” said Hinshelwood. “We’ve seen that in the few days he’s been in training with us.

“We’re really grateful to Leeds for allowing him to come in and for us to have a look.

“It’s what we’ve seen in training, he’s ice cold when it matters in front of goal, he’s got a lovely left foot. I think the top strikers always seem calm in those sorts of situations, and he definitely looked it on that occasion.

“I’m delighted for him because I think it’ll give a lot of confidence to him. Obviously Len is a massive miss for us, but then to bring Luca in and to score from the bench on his debut is really important.”