Match Report | York City 1-2 Sheffield United

Image by Tom Poole

York City were beaten 2-1 by Championship side Sheffield United in our first pre-season friendly at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Adam Hinshelwood has opted for a different starting XI in half, as has opposition boss Chris Wilder.

Sheffield United won the first corner of the afternoon. Sydie Peck’s cross was headed on the end.

City struck first after just nine minutes through Tyrese Sinclair. A firm challenge from Friday signing Ricky Aguiar saw the striker with plenty of space to run into, lifting his goal past goalkeeper Adam Davies.

Supporters thought Ollie Pearce had doubled City’s lead after 20 minutes, only for the offside flag to halt the celebrations.

Joe Felix found the striker in the middle with a long direct ball from the right flank, but Pearce was adjudged to be in an offside position.

Aguiar attempted to hit the spectacular from the halfway line just three minutes later when he looked up to see Davies venturing off his line, who eventually pulled away well.

Sheffield United equalized in the 27th minute. Harrison Male’s save from a header inside the area was deflected back to him and into the back of the net.

Masculin was quick to deny Peck going in to complete a quick counter-attack in the 35th minute.

With half-time substitutions – Rory Watson was later called into action in the 58th minute.

Anis Ben Slimane’s direct kick was thrown out by the keeper, denying the opportunity to score from the burst of the net.

Four minutes later, the midfielder curled a shot high and wide.

The Blades began to apply real pressure on City’s second half team.

Oli Arblaster teed up Will Osula who stepped up before picking up the pace and firing a shot just wide.

Chances for Ben Slimane and Osula also fell, neither of which was taken.

Watson was called into another save in the 70th minute, keeping out Rhian Brewster’s powerful shot.

Dipo Akinyemi got City back in the 74th minute, producing a wonderful and skilful backheel to set up Paddy McLaughlin on the left flank.

He sent in Lenell John-Lewis’ cross before Akinyemi burst through a body of Blades.

The visitors struck to take the lead in the 76th minute. Osula bent a quality shot into the far side of the net from outside the box.

Adam Hinshelwood introduced youngsters Bill Marshall and Leon Gibson-Booth on the occasion before the end of City’s first pre-season outing.

YORK CITY 1ST HALF: Male, Fallowfield, Crookes, Howe (C), Sinclair, Hunt, Pearce, Nathaniel-George, Batty, Aguiar, Felix.

YORK CITY 2ND HALF: Watson, O’Connor, McLaughlin (83′ Gibson-Booth), Akinyemi, Gravata, John-Lewis (C) (83′ Marshall), Armstrong, Trialist A, Billy Chadwick, Trialist B, Trialist C.

SHEFFIELD UNITED first half: Davies, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson (C), Traore, Souza, Curtis, Marsh, Brooks, One, Buyabu, Peck.

SHEFFIELD UNITED 2nd half: Grbic, Nogle, Arblaster (C), Trusty, Brewster, Shackleton, Ben Slimane, Osula, Sasnauskas, Hampson, Freckleton.

UNUSED SUBSTANCES: Faxon, Boyes, Sachdev, Seriki, Blackett.

YORK INSPIRATIONAL KIDS MAN OF THE MATCH: Joe Felix

PRESENT: 4,755 (2,193 Sheffield United supporters)