Eddie Anaclet's second goal of the season secured another hard fought away win for United at York tonight. Anaclet's shot from six yards out continued United's impressive form as they made it back to back wins against Yorkshire opposition.
There were three changes to the line up with James Clarke, Jamie Hand and Matt Green all starting, and a change to 3-5-2 with Anaclet and Michael Howard as the wing backs. It took a while to settle down but with York also adjusting to having four players out through suspension it did make for an open game, with York having slightly the better of the opening exchanges. A Woolford shot from twenty yards on thirteen minutes was the first effort of note and flew up and over the bar off of Turley's knee after evading his hands, while a Fortune West effort on fifteen went only just wide.
That signalled a swift change back to 4-4-2 with Clarke switching to right back and Anaclet stepping forward, Immediately it saw a change of emphasis and an audacious thirty yard volley from Odubade which beat keeper Josh Mimms but dropped just wide of the left hand post. Mimms, son of former Everton and Spurs keeper Bobby, had a quiet first half with few saves to make but there was no shortage of effort from the men in yellow trying to test him out. The problem was that they weren't able to get Green or Odubade in behind the York defence often enough or get Adam Murray on the ball, which meant that York could dominate possession. They almost made that count on 40 when Jimmy Beadle burst forward dangerously and only a brave save from Turley kept him out. Beadle is far from a regular for York, who are lucky to have someone like Beadle about when they are short handed.
That joke may have been the highlight of the first half (or maybe not!), but the second was much much better and once again United were fast out of the traps. On 48 minutes Odubade chased a long ball and earned a throw. When it came into the box Odubade challenged Mimms and the ball bobbled away to Anaclet, ten yards out. Fast Eddie waited an eternity for the ball to drop then smashed a low volley past the struggling defender on the line to make it 1-0 and put his mark on another fine performance. Since coming back into the side after injury he has been good in most games, excellent in others.
As well as being exactly what United needed it was exactly what the game was crying out for, and suddenly everything opened up and the end of season drift became a proper game. The impressive Woolford had two efforts, a magnificent challenge from Day cleared danger on 55 and it was more like the game last season when both teams were heading for the play-offs.
York started to commit more men forward but that opened up the game and Murray flashed a shot just wide on 63 and United were more than capable of finding the net again. Craig McAllister came on and started to knit things intelligently, and Jamie Hand charged through to have an effort touched wide on 77 minutes.
York seemed to be running out of ideas, and with Trainer, Hand and Murray much more to the fore United saw the game out with what is fast becoming their customary professionalism. Captain Quinn kicked a Panther drive off the line on 82 and was inspirational all night, while a Woolford free kick on 87 flew over the bar and proved to be York's final thrust.
A good night's work and yet more encouraging signs. Can't we start the season again?
Report Chris Williams and Tony Pocklington. Pictures Darrell Fisher
See the action in Gallery
Hear rhe reaction in Yellow World
Att: 1,808
Away: 152
