York City maintain run of form after goalless draw with Aldershot

Both sides will have felt that they could have penetrated the others goal, with Tyrese Sinclair and Callum Howe both going close in the first-half.

Aldershot were left in disbelief as Josh Barratt found himself with an open goal after rounding Rory Watson, but somehow missed the target from six-yards out.

A 0-0 draw sees York’s unbeaten run stretch to five, but their winning run come to a half after four straight victories had taken City to the top of the Vanarama National League.

A share of the spoils means that the Minstermen have dropped to second in the table, with Forest Green Rovers now leading the way by boasting two better goal difference.

Aldershot headed into the fixture with inconsistent form, managing just one win in their last five, but being held to draws in their previous two matches.

Despite the Shots’ mediocre position of 14th in the table, Tommy Widdrington’s side had established themselves as the fifth-highest scorers in the division, having netted 16, one more than York so far this season.

It appeared that Aldershot had instead struggled to keep the ball out of their own net, something that Hinshelwood once fought against, having previously captained the Shots as a centre-back in the 2009/10 season.

The current York manager represented today’s opponents on 15 occasions under manager Gary Waddock, with Aldershot pushing for promotion from Sky Bet League Two, before parting ways after not being in the plans of Waddock’s replacement Kevin Dillon.

Hinshelwood opted to make just the one change from the City side that cruised to a 3-0 victory over AFC Fylde last weekend, with goalkeeper Harrison Male dropping to the bench in place of Rory Watson.

Callum Harriott was reported to be struggling after opening his account for the season last weekend, but did undergo some light jogging ahead of kick-off.

In his place on the substitutions bench was young winger Mo Fadera, who had impressed Hinshelwood during a pre-season friendly defeat at Garforth Town, earning a contract with the Minstermen after a successful trial period.

Dan Batty (back) remained absent after failing a late fitness test, whilst Adam Crookes (quad), George Sykes-Kenworthy (ankle) and Darragh O’Connor (quad) all remain unavailable for selection.

Aldershot boss Widdrington made two changes, with Ashley Akpan and Hady Ghandour coming into the starting eleven, in place of Jack Barham and Aaron Jones.

York started the contest slowly, with Aldershot patiently holding possession in the early stages.

A heavy pass from Joe Felix was mis-controlled by Malachi Fagan-Walcott, with Hady Ghandour racing into the area, before a Ricky Aguiar challenge cut out the opportunity.

City had their first chance with 10 minutes played, as an Ollie Pearce pass set Tyrese Sinclair through on goal, but his low strike skidded narrowly wide of Marcus Dewhurst’s goal.

Fagan-Walcott saw a corner routine directed his way, with his strike clearing the Aldershot stand, before play would come to a halt.

A challenge from Sinclair saw Shots captain Ollie Harfield clatter into the advertising boards, with the reaction of the players indicating that it could be a serious injury to the defender.

After a stoppage in play, Harfield was removed from play on a stretcher, with Rollin Menayese his replacement from the bench.

Aldershot rallied from losing their captain and came within inches of an opener.

Watson failed to deal with a long ball forward after racing out of his area to handle the threat, with the loose ball dropping to Barrett.

He attempted a long-ranged half-volley, which bounced onto the roof of the net after skimming the crossbar.

But the Shots wouldn’t come any closer in the second-half than Barrett, with supporters left in disbelief after the attacker latched onto a through ball and rounded Watson, but with the goal at his mercy, missed the target from six-yards out.

Alex Hunt looked to pull some momentum back in City’s favour, with a low corner being strangely powered towards goal by Aldershot’s Cameron Hargreaves, forcing Dewhurst in a phenomenal low stop.

York City were held to a goalless draw down South. (Image: Adam Davy)

The Shots goalkeeper would be called into action again from the following corner, as Callum Howe met Hunt’s delivery, with his header being parried over the bar.

A first-half with plenty of action and opportunities, with both sides heading into the break feeling as if they could be in front.

Aldershot started the second-half as they had the first, enjoying possession whilst City sat off in the early stages.

Theo Widdrington dragged an effort wide before James Henry cut inside on his left and again missed the target, with home supporters growing frustrated.

Dipo Akinyemi was introduced and had an attempt on goal from distance, which drifted harmlessly over the bar.

Fadera was also brought on for his first taste of competitive professional football and made an instant impression, combining with Armstrong and Nathaniel-George, before the latter’s strike deflected narrowly wide.

The young winger again looked to impact play after cutting inside from the right, before curling an effort on his weaker foot that evaded the target.

The Minstermen were also growing frustrated by the match, managing 11 shots in total, nine of which fell short of the target.

But with time running out, it was Aldershot who piled late pressure on York, who were able to hold their own for a strong point on their travels.

ALDERSHOT TOWN: DEWHURST, AKPAN (A. JONES, 70), BYRD, MAGHOMA, HARFIELD (MENAYESE, 19), SCOTT (BARHAM, 64), WIDDRINGTON, HARGREAVES, HENRY (R. JONES, 58), GHANDOUR, BARRETT (CORBETT, 58)

SUBS NOT USED: VAN STAPPERSHOEF, TETEK

YELLOW CARDS: MAGHOMA (34), MENAYESE (74)

YORK CITY: WATSON 6, FALLOWFIELD 7, FAGAN-WALCOTT 7, HOWE 8, FELIX 7, HUNT 6 (FADERA 7, 67), AGUIAR 7 (JOHN 6, 57), ARMSTRONG 7, SINCLAIR 7 (AKINYEMI 6, 51), PEARCE 6 (JOHN-LEWIS 6, 67), NATHANIEL-GEORGE 7 (MCLAUGHLIN, 90+1)

SUBS NOT USED: MALE, CHADWICK

YELLOW CARDS: FELIX (80)

YORK’S STAR MAN: CALLUM HOWE. A commanding performance at the back and a deserved clean sheet for the York captain.

REFEREE: William Davis

ATTENDANCE: 2567 (414)

SHOTS (ON TARGET): 6 (0) | 9 (2)

CORNERS:  1 | 5

OFFSIDES: 3 | 0

FOULS COMMITTED: 14 | 14