York City begin pre-season with Sheffield United test

Sky Bet Championship outfit Sheffield United visited the LNER Community Stadium for York’s first match of their pre-season schedule, with supporters hoping to see the Minstermen’s newest additions in action for the first time.

York had led through Tyrese Sinclair, producing a composed finish to beat Adam Davies from close-range.

Sheffield United equalised via Ryan One, with the towering forward pouncing onto a parried save from Harrison Male.

But it would be the Blades who would leave victorious, as Will Osula beat Rory Watson with an expert strike from distance.

York named a different eleven for each half, with seven new signings starting the opening forty-five, including Alex Hunt.

Adam Hinshelwood lined up his starting squad in a 4-3-3, which included a first start for Ollie Pearce, partnered by Tyrese Sinclair and Ashley Nathaniel-George on either wing.

His second-half side saw the inclusion of three trialists, as well as a debut for Darragh O’Connor at centre-back.

Leone Gravata also made his return from injury after just one appearance last campaign, with George Sykes-Kenworthy, Maziar Kouhyar and Thierry Latty-Fairweather absent from the squad.

Hinshelwood also confirmed that Callum Harriott and Levi Andoh would be missing as they continue their recovery from long-term injuries, with young striker Alex Hernandez close to a return.

Sheffield United arrived into North Yorkshire with a mix of starters and academy products, also repping a different eleven for both the first and second-half.

The likes of Anel Ahmedhodzic, Jack Robinson and Vinicius Souza started in the opening forty-five, before being replaced by Ollie Arblaster, Jayden Bogle and Rhian Brewster, who once cost the Blades a reported £23 million.

There was also a surprise in the walk-out of the match, as York showed off their new pink third strip for the first time.

Sheffield United began the first-half on the front foot, with Bene Traore winning the Blades an early corner, only for Sydie Peck to power his header narrowly wide at the back post.

Hinshelwood had admitted to the Press prior to kick-off that he didn’t expect to be with possession for much of the contest, but will have been joyed with how the Minstermen opened the scoring.

A quick counter-attack saw Ricky Aguiar, who only signed yesterday, dispossess a United man in the middle, before feeding Sinclair one-on-one with goalkeeper Adam Davies. A composed finish from Sinclair saw the debutant delicately chip an effort over Davies, seeing his strike roll over the line to put York ahead.

Sheffield United looked to respond through Peck, but a strong block from captain Callum Howe kept the score as it was.

New boy Ollie Pearce was keen to make an impression and thought he had opened his account after being fed in behind, even finishing past Davies, but was denied by the linesman’s flag.

City continued their positive start with Aguiar again pouncing on a Sheffield United mistake in the middle of the pitch, attempting an audacious, long-ranged effort which failed to worry Davies.

But with the two teams firmly testing one another, the Blades would draw level.

A superb initial stop from Harrison Male saw York look to clear the danger, but One was first to react, powering a strike home from close-range.

Male was again called into action when beating Traore to a through ball, clearing the danger.

Sinclair would look to attack one final time before the half-time substitutions, but an excellent challenge from Jack Robinson meant the two sides would be level heading into the break.

Tyrese Sinclair netted his first goal for York City. Picture: Tom Poole (Image: Tom Poole)

York would have to withstand a lot more pressure in the second-half, but almost found a way through as Marvin Armstrong dispossessed Miguel Freckleton, but couldn’t find a man with his pass.

Rory Watson would be a busy man, first producing an impressive stop to divert Anis Ben Slimane’s strike wide of the target.

Ben Slimane was keen to score for the Blades, but couldn’t muster an effort on target when taking aim from the edge of the area.

York were holding on throughout some relentless pressure from the visitors, with the highly-rated Arblaster sliding Will Osula through on the left-hand side, but his shot could only trickle wide following some mesmerising footwork.

It was again Sheffield United who were testing the York defence, with Ben Slimane finding space in behind, but he could only prod a half-volley wide of Watson’s goal.

Osula was next to have an attempt on goal, but his venomously struck strike evaded the target, instead hitting the roof of the North Stand.

Watson’s arguably best save of the afternoon was in response to Brewster’s strike 70 minutes in, diving to his left to palm the former Liverpool striker’s driven effort around his post.

City did look to mount a challenge in the second-half, with Dipo Akinyemi expertly back-heeling a pass to allow Paddy McLaughlin to drive into space, only for his cross to be struck into a crowd of bodies from Akinyemi.

But with 76 minutes played, Sheffield United received their reward for a dominant second-half performance.

Osula again decided to try his luck from the edge of the area, with a sublimely-hit effort leaving Watson rooted to the spot, watching the strike nestle into the top right corner.

A worthy pre-season opener for Hinshelwood and York, who will be pleased with their efforts against Championship opposition. 

City are next in action on Wednesday evening, making the trip to Whitby Town (7pm).

YORK CITY first-half: Male 7, Felix 8, Fallowfield 7, Howe 7, Crookes 6, Batty 7, Aguiar 7, Hunt 7, Sinclair 8, Pearce 6, Nathaniel-George 7

YORK CITY second-half: Watson 8, Gravata 6, O’Connor 6, Trialist B 6, McLaughlin 6 (Gibson-Booth, 82), Armstrong 7, Trialist A 6, Chadwick 6, Trialist C 6, John-Lewis 6 (Marshall, 82), Akinyemi 7

Goals: Sinclair (9)

SHEFFIELD UNITED first-half: Davies, Curtis, Ahmedhodvic, Robinson, Buyabu, Brooks, Souza, Marsh, Traore, One, Peck

SHEFFIELD UNITED second-half: Grbic, Bogle, Trusty, Freckleton, Sasnauskas, Hampson, Arblaster, Shackleton, Slimane, Osula, Brewster

Subs not used: Faxon, Boyes, Sachdev, Seriki

Goals: One (27), Osula (77)

York’s star man first-half: Joe Felix. A battling performance from the right-back, who worked relentlessly down that flank.

York’s star man second-half: Rory Watson. An impressive performance between the sticks, keeping out multiple shots from the visitors.

Referee: Zac Kettle

Attendance: 4755 (2193)

Shots off (on target): 1 (1)| 5 (6)

Corners:  3 | 6

Offsides: 3 | 0

Fouls committed: 8 | 13