Match Report | York City 2-2 Notts County

York City drew 2-2 with League Two side Notts County in their final pre-season friendly at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Adam Hinshelwood’s side have progressed in terms of fitness to see out the 90-minute pre-season friendlies as we approach the start of the National League season, with the manager making just one substitution during the game.

Notts County took the lead within minutes. Jodi Jones converted by slamming the ball into the roof of the net after receiving a pass from a direct free kick.

City countered strongly on 20 minutes, Alex Hunt blocking Dan Crowley’s initial shot before York went clear. Ollie Pearce took it all the way through for Marvin Armstrong who couldn’t get to the ball to make a connection towards goal.

Hunt sparked City again on a counter down the left flank three minutes later. Joe Felix tracked before passing to Billy Chadwick on the right. He hit a shot from the edge of the area that was blocked by the Notts defender.

Harrison Male denied Aaron Nemane from close range in the 26th minute, turning his shot away with a leg save.

Notts County doubled their lead just before the break. Nemane got in behind on the right flank, beating York’s high defensive line before teeing up Alassana Jatta to tuck home.

The Minstermen opened the second half slowly but soon found their footing in the game.

Akinyemi drew a save from Alex Bass after a speculative effort was cleared by the County player.

Chadwick had York back into the game on 55 minutes. Pearce’s driving run down the left flank ended with a lay-off for the striker who curled smartly into the top corner.

Harrison Male had to keep Notts County out seconds after, turning away Cedwyn Scott’s shot at his right post.

York equalized in the 69th minute through Pearce, who set up the first. Armstrong slipped through Chadwick on the right who traveled inside before meeting Pearce who swept home his shot.

Akinyemi had a clear sight of goal four minutes later but shot frustratingly short of Bass’s left-hand post.

City pressed well towards the end of the game to find a winner. Armstrong did well to hold on to the ball in the 86th minute but fired after finding a sight on goal in a crowded area.

Adam Hinshelwood’s side travel to Garforth Town on Tuesday night in a recently announced addition to their pre-season schedule.

CITY OF YORK: Male, Fallowfield, O’Connor, Howe, Hunt, Akinyemi, Pearce, Armstrong, Batty (61′ Aguiar), Chadwick, Felix.

UNUSED SUBSTANCES: Watson, McLaughlin, Gravata, Marshall.

NOTTS COUNTY: Bass, Bedeau (70′ Reynolds), Crowley, Austin (70′ McDonald), Jones (70′ Edwards), Nemane (70′ McGoldrick), Scott (70′ Cundy), Robertson (31′ Trialist A), Macari (70 ′ ′ Chicksen), Jatta (70′ Gordon), Platt.

UNUSED SUBSTANCES: Slocombe, Stone.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ollie Pearce

PRESENT: 2,131 (532 supporters from Notts County)