Lenell John-Lewis rescues late York City point on opening day

An 85th minute equaliser from substitute John-Lewis saw York leave Southend United with a 1-1 draw, kicking off the National League campaign in front of the DAZN cameras.

Gus Scott-Morriss had opened the scoring in the 16th minute with an expert header from a well-worked Southend set-piece, with City struggling to produce anything of note in a stale first 45.

But a spirited second-half showing meant that the Minstermen are officially on the board for the campaign.

Boss Adam Hinshelwood started the season in a 4-3-3 formation, as he had operated in throughout pre-season, with five debutants involved.

Harrison Male, Joe Felix, Cameron John, Alex Hunt, on the second occasion, and Ollie Pearce all made their competitive debuts for the Minstermen, whilst Tyrese Sinclair, Ashley Nathaniel-George and Ricky Aguiar all appeared off of the bench.

Ryan Fallowfield retained his spot at centre-back, whilst Billy Chadwick was backed to start by Hinshelwood after impressing during pre-season.

Adam Crookes (hamstring) and Rory Watson (concussion) both missed out.

Southend lined up the game in a 5-3-2 formation that they have become accustomed to under Kevin Maher, and surprised supporters when announcing a signing prior to kick-off, as former Arsenal shot-stopper James Hillson signed on a permanent deal after a successful trial period.

Both clubs, supporters, staff and players joined in a minute’s applause prior to kick-off to remember York and Southend legend Alan Little, in a brilliantly followed standing ovation.

Following that applause, the 2024/25 National League season got underway.

York started the match brightly as Chadwick was identified in space on the right-hand side, with his low cross looking destined for Dipo Akinyemi at the back post, but he was inches away from a potentially goalscoring touch.

Southend followed with their first attempt on goal, as Jack Bridge’s deep cross saw Harry Cardwell beat Callum Howe in an aerial battle, leaving Male with a comfortable stop.

A clumsy foul from Hunt saw Southend win a free-kick on the edge of the area, as Oli Coker’s in-swinging cross was glanced narrowly wide by Joe Gubbins.

York were growing frustrated early into the contest, as Chadwick linked up nicely with Pearce in the area, but the latter’s attempted lay-off was read and intercepted by Southend, cutting out the danger.

With 16 minutes played, the opening goal of City’s National League season was conceded.

A poorly-timed foul by John allowed Southend the opportunity to create from another dangerous set-piece position, with Bridge’s teasing cross being flicked on by Gus-Morriss, nestling into the top left corner.

The Minstermen looked to immediately respond as Akinyemi dispossessed Scott-Morriss in his own area before racing to the byline, only for his drag back to be cut out by a Southend defender.

Felix then saw a looping cross headed wayward of the target by Akinyemi, before Scott-Morriss was shown a booking for a late foul on John, with some City players calling for further punishment.

There was work to be done and room for improvement heading into the second-half, which is something that York provided.

Felix quickly saw a volleyed attempt cut out by Andeng Ndi, before Chadwick saw a controversial penalty shout declined by the referee.

York City celebrate a 1-1 draw at Southend United on the opening day. (Image: Tom Poole)

A mistake from the Southend shot-stopper allowed Chadwick to build an attack in the final third, with Hunt eventually receiving possession after some patient play, with his deflected strike being smothered by Andeng Ndi again.

Southend had opportunities of their own, with Bridge latching onto Cardwell’s flick-on and chesting the loose ball into the area, before skidding a strike narrowly wide.

But it was York who were knocking on the door, as Pearce’s cross-shot almost caught an out-of-position Andeng Ndi out, but he recover to palm away the effort.

Both sides continued to exchange opportunities as Southend substitute James Morton had a driven effort smothered by Male, before Hunt again tested Andeng Ndi with another deflected strike.

But with time running out and Hinshelwood’s side pushing for an equaliser on the opening day, the boss introduced John-Lewis, who would make the eventual difference.

A whipped corner from Hunt found ‘the Shop’ in the area, who bullied his way past his marker before powering an effort past Andeng Ndi to pull the scores level at 1-1.

It would still be the visitors who would provide the pressure in stoppage-time, as Sinclair earned a free-kick in a frightening position, only for another low shot to be thwarted by Southend’s goalkeeper.

An even way to start the National League campaign, with York leaving Essex with a share of the spoils.

Hinshelwood’s side are next in action on Saturday, August 17 (3pm) when Tamworth visit the LNER Community Stadium for City’s first home match of the season.

SOUTHEND UNITED: ANDENG NDI, SCOTT-MORRISS, KENSDALE, GUBBINS (MORTON, 54), TAYLOR, RALPH, BRIDGE (CROWTHER, 85), MILEY, COKER (WALDRON, 78), WALKER, CARDWELL

Subs not used: Hillson, Wind, Wood, Faulkner

Goals: Scott-Morriss (15)

Yellow cards: Scott-Morriss (42)

YORK CITY: MALE 7, FELIX 6, FALLOWFIELD 6, HOWE 7, JOHN 5, BATTY 6, ARMSTRONG 6 (AGUIAR 6, 54), HUNT 7, CHADWICK 6 (SINCLAIR 6, 54), PEARCE 6 (NATHANIEL-GEORGE 7, 69), AKINYEMI 6 (JOHN-LEWIS, 7 69)

Subs not used: Sykes-Kenworhty, O’Connor, McLaughlin

Goals: John-Lewis (85)

Yellow cards: John-Lewis (90)

York’s star man: Lenell John-Lewis. His introduction changed the dynamic of the game with a crucial goal to get York City on the board.

Referee: Farai Hallam

Attendance: 7962 (501)

Shots (on target): 3 (3) | 3 (6)

Corners:  2 | 2

Offsides: 2 | 1

Fouls committed: 12 | 8