City progress in Trophy against Slough

Clayton Donaldson ensured City a place in the fifth round of the Buildbase FA Trophy with his goal enough to seal victory over Slough Town.

John Askey made five changes to the side which beat Alfreton Town, with players missing through Covid, suspensions or cup ties.

The Minstermen had not played a competitive game since the Christmas period, with various postponements in the New Year, but despite the lack of game time York looked solid and started the game well.

Mark Beck returning to Harrogate gave the opportunity for Donaldson to play down the middle, and he didn’t disappoint, opening the scoring on 19 minutes following a perfect Sean Newton cross which was headed into the bottom corner by the striker.

Heaney then threaded through Paddy McLaughlin who was unfortunate not to add another goal – Jonanthan North in the Slough goal pulling off a great one-one-one save.

After nearly providing a second, Heaney came close to scoring himself, the attacking midfielder spinning his man on the edge of the box before a deflected strike whistled past the right post.

City had a couple of half chances in the second half, Mitch Hancox forcing North to push out for a corner after a fizzing effort to the front post and Kurt Willoughby cutting inside from the left wing to bring the goalkeeper into action again with a curling effort.

Olly Dyson was ever present on his return from injury and wreaked havoc on the Rebels’ defence later on, notably finding space on the edge after getting the better of a yellow shirt and curling over on 86 minutes.

Slough chances were few and far between, but the visitors had an opportunity to equalise in injury time, Alfonso Tenconi leaping up and meeting a long ball with his head but unable to trouble Pete Jameson who mopped up the loose ball.

City are now just three wins from the final at Wembley Stadium and are in the hat for the fifth round draw – which takes place on Monday afternoon.

 

York City: Jameson, Duckworth, Kouogun, Newton ©, Hancox, Wright, McLaughlin, Dyson (Hopper 87), Heaney, Willoughby, Donaldson

Unused subs: Campbell, Haase, Fielding, James

 

Slough Town: North, Jackman (Worsfold 75), Grant, Hollis, Togwell (Nisbet 91), Lench, Tenconi, Hunt, Davies, Kuhl, Goueth (Kayani 61)

Unused subs: Rose, Fraser, Lawal, Williams

 

Attendance: 2,261 (240 away fans)

Referee: Paul Marsden

Waitrose & Partners MOTM: Mitch Hancox