MARTYN Woolford used his less-heralded right boot to fire York City to a 3-1 victory over Newcastle Benfield last night.

The City left-winger scored two terrific goals with his supposed weaker foot to help the visitors recover from a 1-0 half-time deficit.

Fellow half-time replacement Manny Panther had earlier levelled the scores during the opening exchanges of a second-half that City bossed against their Northern League hosts.

The first-half, however, was a more competitive affair with Benfield providing a good test for Billy McEwan's men early in their pre-season programme.

City went close to opening the scoring when a Ross Greenwood effort was saved by home goalkeeper Andrew Grainger, who also stopped Onome Sodje's follow-up effort.

On 17 minutes, Richard Brodie, playing against his former team, was replaced by Craig Farrell, having suffered a head injury following an aerial clash with Grainger.

Shortly afterwards, a 30-yard Farrell effort forced a scrambled save from Grainger but unmarked Benfield right-winger Paul Buzzeo should have broken the deadlock when he headed wide from close range.

The lively Buzzeo then forced Tom Evans into a fine save before firing his side in front with a spectacular overhead kick following hesitant Minstermen defending.

Half-time arrived shortly afterwards with Craig Farrell complaining after being caught by a stray elbow that went undetected by the referee.

The visitors made seven further changes at the interval with only full-backs Ben Purkiss and Mark Robinson and centre-back David McGurk retaining their places for the second period.

City skipper Panther immediately made his presence felt, turning in a low, deflected cross by Farrell from a yard out just over a minute after the restart.

Fellow replacement Woolford then fired City in front, riding two challenges during a strong run before unleashing a spectacular shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

Purkiss, Robinson and McGurk were all withdrawn on 71 minutes with trainees Russell Spence, Josh Radcliffe and Andy McWilliams given a run-out. Trialist Gayson Gregory was also reintroduced for Farrell.

Former Rushden striker Chris Beardsley twice went close to extending City's lead with a 20-yard shot that flashed wide and a 79th-minute effort that was well saved following clever footwork.

But Woolford claimed his second goal of the night in equally emphatic fashion, rifling into the roof of the net from the corner of the penalty box with his right boot after good work by Paul Brayson.


City facts

Pre-season friendly: Newcastle Benfield 1; York City 3

York City: Evans (Bartlett, 46), Purkiss (Spence, 71), McGurk (Radcliffe, 71), D Farrell (Dutton, 46), Robinson (McWilliams, 71), Meechan (Woolford, 46), Elliott (Panther, 46), Greenwood (Turnbull, 46), Gregory (Bearsdley, 46), Brodie (C Farrell, 17, Gregory 71), Sodje (Brayson, 46).