news-engine

York City 2-1 Exeter City by Layth Yousif at York Community Stadium NEVER mind Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca and his travels, it’s been some journey for York City. They were screening The Odyssey in the cinema next door to York’s community stadium on Saturday, but perhaps director Christopher Nolan could have taken inspiration from the club’s travails over the last few years. On a rainy bank holiday afternoon, The Minstermen announced they were well and truly back in League Two, defeating Exeter City 2-1, to rise to the heady heights of third place in the embryonic table. Alex Newby’s seventh-minute opener was supplemented by debutant substitute Jovan Malcolm’s late header, as Scott Lindsey’s National League champions deservedly picked up all three points to continue their impressive start to the season, despite Jack Fitzwater’s 91st-minute consolation for the Grecians. It’s been an adventure too for new boss Lindsey, only appointed York manager last month, following the sacking of National League Manager of the Season, Stuart Maynard. The shock dismissal of the latter stunned many, a mere three months after steering the club to the title with a record 108 points, thereby ending their decade-long exile in non-league football. However, to the consternation of supporters at a club that have always given fans a strong voice — not least with a raft of independent supporters’ fanzines over the years, including Terrace Talk, In The City, New Frontiers, Johnny Ward’s Eyes, Ginner’s Left Foot, RaBTaT and Y Front — the club’s co-chairs Matt and Julie-Anne Uggla, and the York board, insisted Maynard’s removal, and Lindsay’s appointment, was a necessary step on the path to sustained success. The bold decision has been proved to be the correct one so far. In front of nearly 8,000 in a leisure park on the edge of this beguiling medieval city, following The Minstermen’s 2021 move from their traditional Bootham Crescent, home for 88 years, Lindsay’s side started the brighter — unsurprisingly given York had won 33 of their 46 league matches last term. Despite the intermittent but heavy August rain, The Minstermen started with a flourish, to build on their previous 3-2 home victory over Bristol Rovers earlier this month, when Newby slotted home Harry Boyes’ cross past Grecians keeper Jack Bycroft after only seven minutes to put the home side 1-0 ahead. The goal arriving after a sweeping move prompted by Joe Grey’s quick feet that saw the No7 dance through the middle of the park to feed Boyes. York’s dominance was evident throughout, as new boy Malcolm’s header doubled the lead to make it 2-0 on 79 minutes from Boyes’ cross. While there was still time for Exeter’s 91st-minute consolation from Fitzwater — prompting nervous moments before the final whistle came — Lindsay’s impressive York side deservedly sealed the points. At the end, while pot-bellied club mascot Yorkie the Lion frolicked on the sodden pitch, “City are back” chorused the York faithful, amplified by a boisterous drummer. After the odyssey York have been through, such unconfined joy was good to see.