York City marred by referee as nine-men Minstermen slip to Spitfires

A first-half dominated by York was soon cancelled out, with referee Dean Watson showing both Zanda Siziba and Ryan Fallowfield red cards halfway through the second forty-five.

Eastleigh took the lead with six minutes of normal time remaining in a controversial fashion, with defender Luke Croll prodding home from a corner despite goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy appearing to be impended.

The result ends a four match unbeaten run for the Minstermen, who slip to 19th in the Vanarama National League table and just three points clear of Boreham Wood, with two matches remaining.

Hinshelwood elected to keep the same eleven that started in the 1-1 draw with FC Halifax Town on Tuesday evening, which included a start between the sticks for Sykes-Kenworthy after Rory Watson was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign in the pre-match warm-up.

Dan Batty remained at right-back with Billy Chadwick slotting into midfield from his usual winger slot, as Dipo Akinyemi beat illness to start on the left-wing, supporting Sam Fishburn.

City lined up in their expected 4-3-3 formation, which included Maison Campbell on the bench after his recall from Scunthorpe United, with Will Smith not involved in the squad through a knee injury.

Eastleigh made three changes from the side that suffered a 3-2 defeat to Maidenhead United on Easter Monday, with Nigel Atangana, Lee Hodson and Ben Reeves all dropping out of the eleven.

The Spitfires lined up in a 5-3-2, with captain Jake Taylor, top scorer Paul McCallum and Luke Croll all coming into the starting line-up.

There was virtually nothing to split the two sides heading into the contest, who were both level on points and level on goal difference in the National League.

Despite that feat, it was the Minstermen who were in control in a steady first-half.

Chadwick almost opened the scoring just four minutes, receiving possession from Maz Kouhyar before stinging the gloves of Joe McDonnell thanks to a deflection from Ludwig Francillette.

Alex Hunt saw an effort then charged down by Franciellette, before Kouhyar cut inside from the left-hand side, before curling a strike goalwards, only to be denied again by McDonnell.

Sykes-Kenworthy retained his spot from Tuesday night’s draw and was called into action on 17 minutes, with McCallum’s volleyed effort on the turn forcing the City shot-stopper into a low save.

York wouldn’t come any closer than striking the crossbar as Marvin Armstrong delivered a deep cross from the right, which was gathered by the wind before rattling the crossbar and catching McDonnell off guard.

Akinyemi was on the hunt for his fourth goal in as many games, meeting a deep Kouhyar cross but failing to beat McDonnell at the back post.

Hunt and Danny Amos both had strikes miss the target from the edge of the area, before Scott Quigley came forward for the Spitfires, striking an effort into the South Stand.

The Minstermen’s final chance of the half came through the persistence of Armstrong, beating two men in the Spitfires’ area before McDonnell continued to frustrate Hinshelwood’s side, tipping the strike over the crossbar.

York would go on to regret not taking advantage of a dominant first-half, as a chaotic second-half exploded with referee Watson at the centre of the attention.

Eastleigh came forward early on with Quigley’s low strike being deflected wide thanks to Fallowfield, before Solomon Nwabuokei headed wide from the resulting corner.

Quigley again almost broke the deadlock when racing onto a long ball over the top from McCallum, but excellent defending from Amos saw the striker forced away from goal.

Lenell John-Lewis was introduced early in the second-half and was immediately involved, directing Batty’s cross narrowly wide, before Eastleigh’s George Langston flicked a cross against woodwork from close-range.

But with an even match, a studded challenge from Siziba in the middle of the pitch saw the referee show the winger a straight red card, reducing Hinshelwood’s side to ten. Fallowfield was shown a booking for his protests.

And three minutes later, disaster struck again for the Minstermen, as Fallowfield was shown a second yellow card and subsequently a red for a rash challenge of Francillette.

With City now down to nine, any hopes of a needed three points were quickly diminished, before Eastleigh rubbed salt into the wound with an eventual winner, in controversial conditions.

A corner appeared to be held by Sykes-Kenworthy, who appeared to have the ball stolen from his hands and prodded home by Croll, giving the Spitfires the lead in a contest marred by the refereeing performance.

Watson opted to allow the goal to stand, despite the protests of Hinshelwood, Chadwick and Howe, who were all shown a yellow card for their protests.

Howe looked to bring York back into the match with a late header against his former club, but the foot of Langston denied the City captain an equaliser late on.

The result sees City drop to 19th in the National League, three points clear of Boreham Wood with two matches remaining.

YORK CITY: Sykes-Kenworthy 5, Batty 6, Fallowfield 5, Howe 6, Amos 7, Armstrong 8 (Castro, 90+1), Hunt 8, Chadwick 6, Kouhyar 6 (Siziba 4, 55), Fishburn 6 (John-Lewis 6, 54), Akinyemi 6

Subs not used: Campbell, McLaughlin

Yellow cards: Fallowfield (74), Hinshelwood [manager] (84), Howe (84), John-Lewis (90+5)

Red cards: Siziba (74), Fallowfield (77)

EASTLEIGH: McDonnell, Langston, Francillette, Croll, Vokins, Taylor (Reeves, 71), Nwabuokei, Quigley, Maguire (Hodson, 60), Boldewijn, McCallum

Subs not used:  Scott, Atangana, Merry

Goals: Croll (84)

Yellow cards: Maguire (24)

York’s star man: Alex Hunt. A controlling display in the middle, who looked composed every time he received the ball. Could also have gone to Marvin Armstrong, who was similarly excellent.

Referee: Dean Watson

Attendance: 5508 (137)

Shots off (on target): 6 (5)| 2 (3)

Corners:  5 | 3

Offsides: 1 | 1

Fouls committed: 9 | 7