Honours even as York City draw with Newcastle United

Ian Appleyard at Bootham Crescent

YORK City completed their pre-season programme with an improved display and a draw against a young Newcastle United line-up.

Aidan Connolly gave the Minstermen an early lead before Matt Fry put through his own net in the second half to level for Newcastle.

The Minstermen had won only one of the previous five pre-season games and needed this confidence booster ahead of next week's opening game in the National League against Maidstone United.

With Newcastle United's first team in action at St James's Park against Vitesse Arnhem, it was an under-21 side, led by reserve team manager Peter Beardsley, that provided the opposition at Bootham Crescent.

The Magpies still had a sprinkling of glitter, however, and included four players with Premier League experience - namely Slovenian international Haris Vuckic, Burundi international midfielder Gael Bigirimana, Swiss defender Kevin Mbabu, and striker Ivan Toney.

Teenager defender Kyle Cameron, who played 18 times on loan for York last season, wore the captain's armband for Newcastle.

York manager Jackie McNamara selected a strong side including on trial former Oldham Athletic striker Deane Smalley in attack.

The Minstermen made an ideal start when, on seven minutes, Aidan Connolly scored from close range after Newcastle goalkeeper Nathan Harker failed to hold a shot from Scott Fenwick.

Buoyed by the early breakthrough, York took the game to the visitors and Harker made a good stop to deny Fenwick at a corner.

In a change to previous friendlies, McNamara employed a midfield 'diamond' which had Clovis Kamdjo sitting deep, behind Simon Heslop and Yan Klukowski, and Connolly in the hole.

Newcastle appealed in vain for a penalty on 31 minutes when winger Callum Roberts fell under pressure from Josh Robinson. Referee Nigel Miller, however, is one of the more experienced officials in the English game and clearly knew a dive when he saw one.

But it was still a warning to York and Newcastle stepped up their game towards halftime.

Slovenian striker Vuckic was lucky to escape caution for a knee high challenge on Matt Fry followed by a show of dissent to the referee - but his behaviour illustrated a frustration that had crept into Newcastle's game on the back of York's display.

McNamara substituted both Robinson and Smalley, who had failed to shine, at halftime. Kamdjo dropped into the centre of defence, Matty Dixon took over the holding role in midfield, and Daniel Nti came on wide left.

Newcastle equalised just four minutes after the break when Fry, challenging Callum Williams at a corner, appeared to divert the ball past his own goalkeeper.

It was bad luck on York but they shrugged off the setback and nearly regained the lead when Shaun Rooney glanced a header narrowly wide.

Bigirimana showed a glimpse of his quality with a 25 yard drive that flew inches off target for the visitors but it was York who maintained the majority of the ball.

Newcastle remained dangerous on the break and Cameron forced goalkeeper Luke Simpson into a flying save.

Simpson had been chosen ahead of Scott Flinders who was not even on the bench. Striker Richard Brodie, who had suffered a foot injury in midweek against Harrogate Town, was also an absentee.

With Brodie injured, McNamara is looking to bolster his attacking options before next week's game. Reece Thompson was introduced for the final 15 minutes and remains the current favourite to partner Scott Fenwick.

Simpson pulled off another important block to deny Newcastle striker Ivan Toney in the final moments.

York: Simpson; Rooney, Robinson (Dixon HT), Fry, Whittle; Kamdjo; Klukowski (Felix 82), Heslop; Connolly (Thompson 75); Fenwick, Smalley (Nti HT). Substitutes not used: Galbraith, Walton, Kennedy, Wardle, Clarke, Wilton.

Newcastle: Harker; Mbabu, Williams, Findlay, Cameron; Gilliead (Holmes 77), Bigirimana, Barlaser, Roberts (Ben El-Mhanni 73); Vuckic (Longstaff 86), Toney. Substitutes not used: Broccoli, Woolston, Newberry.

Referee: Nigel Miller (County Durham)

Attendance: 885