York City advanced to the fourth round of the FA Trophy with a convincing victory over lower league side Blyth Spartans, thanks to a captivating five-star performance including braces for Manny Duku and Nathan Thomas.

Assistant manager Michael Morton remained in charge of the Minstermen after a lung infection and Covid-19 forced manager David Webb to be hospitalised, but it is expected that Webb will make his managerial debut in the dugout for the Boxing Day clash against Gateshead.

York had entered the contest in the third round due to now playing in a higher division, whilst Blyth previously had to overcome the challenge of Buxton with a resilient 4-2 triumph earlier on in the season in order to advance to York’s level.

The Minstermen were favourites ahead of kick-off with injuries and illnesses plaguing the Blyth squad, but nevertheless were challenged by Blyth earlier on than expected.

It’s now back-to-back victories for York under Morton, setting Webb up nicely for when he takes the reigns back off of his assistant. It wasn’t smooth sailing for the Minstermen at the beginning however, as Blyth had the better of the opening exchanges with JJ O’Donnell, Rio Joisce and Cedric Main coming close.

In a patient move which saw practically every York player touch the ball, some good battling from Lenell John-Lewis saw the ball fall to the feet of Michael Duckworth, whose teasing cross was too dangerous Duku to turn down, arrowing his header past the unfortunate Alex Mitchell.

It was the second half where York really kicked on however, quickly showing the difference in quality between the two leagues. A first goal on home soil for John-Lewis, who has now hit double figures in all competitions before Christmas, thanks to a brilliant cross from Mitch Hancox which was calmly directed into the bottom corner by the man labelled as ‘the Shop’ by the City faithful.

Just two minutes later, Thomas grabbed his first in Minstermen colours, peeling away from an O’Donnell challenge before intelligently floating the ball into the back post.

Thomas would have his second in just a matter of minutes, as the tricky winger phased past a challenge before neatly tucking the ball beneath Mitchell.

It wasn’t the end of the show for the York supporters who had braved the cold, as a corner from Thomas was nodded in the direction of Duku by Alex Crookes, who was composed in nestling the ball past Mitchell to round off a five-star performance for the Minstermen.

York will now face the challenge of either Wealdstone or Chelmsford City on the 14th of January at the LNER Community Stadium, with the tie being played tomorrow night.

Morton responsibly rotated by making six changes to the side that previously defeated Woking ten days ago, with Ryan Whitley, Adam Crookes, Scott Burgess, Nathan Thomas, Manny Duku and Paddy McLaughlin, who was recently recalled from his loan spell with Kidderminster Harriers.

Ryan Fallowfield was also a pleasant face to see on the bench, having impressed earlier on in the season before suffering an injury, and now looks closer to getting minutes after a spell on the treatment table.

It was an end-to-end game from the off, with Thomas looking sharp playing more centrally, and quickly commanded an early warning to Blyth, with a thunderous volley rattling the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Thomas was clearly eager to take advantage of the start Morton had rewarded him with after an impressive spell off of the bench against Woking, and curled another strike narrowly wide of the target.

Blyth would begin to grow into the game however, as danger man JJ O’Donnell retrieved the loose ball on the edge of the box and saw his goalbound header heroically diverted wide by Maxim Kouogun.

Blyth appeared to be enjoying the majority of possession but York were rarely panicking, and often found themselves attempting to tire the opponents high press tactic with patient passing amongst the defence.

It would eventually pay off for the Minstermen who got their goalscoring havoc underway, as some fantastic passing which involved almost every York player eventually made its way over to Duckworth, whose teasing cross was gratefully turned home by Duku for his first of the night.

Duckworth was proving to be a key outlet for York, first tirelessly winning the ball back before Duku rushed his shot wide, and then having a volleyed effort glance past the far post.

Heading into the second half, York began their outstanding half with early dominance, quickly adding their second and killing the belief that Blyth had built for themselves.

Firstly, a stranded Mitchell was left chasing Duku’s shadows, as the striker nicked the ball from the goalkeeper before a spirited goal line clearance from Toby Lees denied a simple open net goal.

But York wouldn’t have to wait much longer for their second, as John-Lewis got his much-needed first goal on home soil. Some nice work down the wing involving Thomas and Hancox ended with the latter lifting the ball onto the head of John-Lewis, who calmly nodded the ball into the bottom corner- almost in slow-motion!

Two minutes later, it was three for the Minstermen. A first goal for the club for Thomas, who found himself with space after dancing his way past O’Donnell, before his lofted shot towards the back post found itself buried into the net.

York really were relentless, as just 11 minutes later, it was four and bordering on a potential embarrassment for Blyth, as Thomas effortlessly wheeled around his marker before tucking the ball beneath the outstretched Mitchell.

The game would be capped off with Duku nicking his brace and a much-needed heavy win for York, who have now got seven goals and two clean sheets in their previous two matches. A deep corner from Thomas found Sanders at the back post, before his knock back into the box was nestled home by Duku, who has certainly made his name known to the new management team.

York will know their opponents for the next round of the FA Trophy tomorrow night, but in the meantime will begin to prepare to entertain Gateshead on Boxing Day.

York: Whitley; Duckworth 7, Kouogun 7 (Hancox 7, 45), Sanders 7, Crookes 6, McLaughlin 6, Dyson 7, Burgess 6 (Greaves 5, 61) Thomas 7, John-Lewis 7 (Hurst 6,64), Duku 7

Subs not used: Ross, Fallowfield, Pybus

Yellow cards: Greaves

Red cards: N/A

York’s star man: Manny Duku

Attendance: 1172 (26)

Referee: Richard Aspinall

Shots (on target): 12 (8) | 2 (7)

Corners: 6 | 3

Fouls: 8 | 4