MORE divine intervention from York City’s “Angel of the North” saw Richard Brodie rescue his team from potential embarrassment with another heavenly strike against lowly Lewes.

Once a north-east novice, Brodie has become the Minstermen’s attacking talisman since returning from his loan spell at Barrow and Saturday’s brace took his tally to ten goals in as many games.

Brodie’s first during the 3-0 victory against Lewes was the latest – and arguably finest – in a growing line of spectacular efforts from the former Newcastle Benfield striker.

With the ball dropping out of the air after debutant Simon Brown had won an aerial challenge, Brodie elected to swing his supposedly weaker right foot and made contact with a superbly-timed 25-yard full volley that dipped viciously over helpess Lewes ’keeper Rikki Banks to open the scoring on 55 minutes.

It was a goal that lifted Main Stand supporters off their seats – the same seats they had been squirming uncomfortably in during a frightful first half.

For long spells of that period, the Minstermen had resorted to long, aimless balls forward as pass after pass went astray against part-time opposition, who could only name four substitutes on their bench and tempt just 21 travelling fans to make the four-and-a-half hour journey to KitKat Crescent.

In midfield, Christian Smith was handed his first start for City but too often occupied the same spaces as skipper Mark Greaves, with the pair almost vying for one anchor role.

That problem would have been negated, as it was to a large extent after the interval, if City had penetrated from wide positions but right-winger Brown was starved of service and, on the left, Andy McWilliams ran head down into a series of blind alleys.

Only when Liam Shepherd was introduced at half-time for the out-of-sorts McWilliams did City find an attacking balance that enabled them to up the tempo against a Lewes team who failed to muster a single shot at City ’keeper Michael Ingham in 90 minutes.

Shepherd’s arrival also provided Brodie with the platform to under line his match-winning ability.

Earlier, Daniel McBreen had seen a 25-yard effort deflected over after only 15 seconds for the home side and Brodie shot wide of Banks’ near post having burst past Lewes captain Danny Cullip with a devastating turn of pace.

But City soon lost their way. On 20 minutes, Keiron St-Aimie shot narrowly over from 30 yards and Seb Wallis-Tayler sidefooted inches wide after good work down the right by Elliott Charles.

Hopeful penalty appeals were also rejected at the other end when Cullip appeared to take the sting out of a Brown volley with his hand. The hard-working Brown went close to opening the scoring two minutes after the break when he charged past Anthony Barness but drove wide of Banks’ near post.

Banks then raced off his line to block a Brodie chance before City’s leading marksman broke the deadlock in emphatic fashion.

On 68 minutes, the combative Smith then pounced on a loose ball to crash a fearsome, first-time strike into Banks’ bottom left-hand corner from 25 yards.

Brodie turned provider for Onome Sodje moments later, but the City substitute fired across the face of goal.

The Minstermen added a third, though, on 77 minutes. Shepherd, who has always provided a forward thrust to City’s play, released a deft, defence-splitting pass for Brodie to chase.

The 6ft 2in striker then cut inside the recovering Chris Breach in a manner reminiscent of his goal against Ebbsfleet last month before hitting a left-footed shot that spun into Banks’ bottom right-hand corner after deflecting off the visiting defender.

Brodie was denied a first City hat-trick on 86 minutes when his low shot was touched on to his near post by Banks following a Greaves through ball, while Lewes’ only effort of the second half came in the third minute of stoppage time when substitute Jay Liburd sliced his ten-yard chance out for a throw-in.

Referee James Adcock blew his whistle seconds later, leaving he home side to reflect on their biggest margin of victory for nine months since defeating Farsley 4-1 in April.


Match facts

York City 3 (Brodie 55, 77 Smith 68), Lewes 0


City: Michael Ingham 6, Kyle Critchell 7, Darren Kelly 7, Danny Parslow 7, Mark Robinson 7, Simon Brown 7, Mark Greaves 6, Christian Smith 7, Andy McWilliams 5, Richard Brodie 9, Daniel McBreen 6.

Substitutions: Shepherd (for McWilliams, 46) 8, Onome Sodje (for McBreen, 70) 6, Simon Rusk (for Smith, 79).

Subs not used: Mimms, Russell.

Key: 10 – Faultless; 9 – Outstanding; 8 – Excellent; 7 – Good; 6 – Average; 5 – Below par; 4 – Poor; 3 – Dud; 2 – Hopeless; 1 – Retire.

City’s star man: Brodie – two more goals and probably deserved a hat-trick.


Lewes: Rikki Banks, Andy Pearson, Danny Cullip, Chris Breach, Anthony Barness, Freddie Foreman, Joe Keehan, Keiron St-Aimie, Seb Wallis-Tayler (Stefan Cox, 67), Elliott Charles (Jay Liburd, 82), Josh Klein-Davies.

Subs (not used): Ryan Storrie, Jake Buss.


Yellow cards: Smith 54.

Shots on target: York 6, Lewes 0

Shots off target: York 9, Lewes 4

Corners: York 7, Lewes 3

Fouls conceded: York 13, Lewes 11

Offsides: York 4, Lewes 6

Referee: James Adcock (Nottingham).

Rating: competent on his first visit to KitKat Crescent.

Attendance: 2,073 (21 from Lewes).

Shot of the match: Brodie’s blockbuster of a goal on 55 minutes.

Pass of the match: The well- weighted assist from Shepherd for Brodie’s second goal.

Save of the match: Banks’ touch on to the post to deny Brodie his hat-trick.


City player watch: Simon Brown

Goal attempts on target: 1

Goal attempts off target: 2

Blocked goal attempts: 1

Passes to own player: 24

Passes to opposition: 8

Crosses to own player: 4

Crosses to opposition: 11

Pass completion rate: 59.6 per cent

Dribbles ball retained: 7

Dribbles ball lost: 2

Dribble completion rate: 77.8 per cent

Headers: 10

Tackles: 6

Clearances, blocks and interceptions: 1

Fouls won: 3, Fouls conceded: 1

Offsides: 1

Yellow cards: 0

Final summary: Simon Brown enjoyed a lively debut on the right wing, illustrating why Martin Foyle believes he can provide the club with more firepower. The on-loan Wrexham signing managed four attempts on goal and also delivered a healthy 15 crosses into the penalty box. He also beat his man more often than not, drew three fouls out of the opposition and won a good share of his aerial battles, including an assist for Brodie’s first goal.