5 Things We Learned from York City's 1-1 draw at Maidstone

During a sweltering first period in which home trio Ben Greenhalgh, Alex Flisher and Bobby-Joe Taylor were all expending lung-busting amounts of energy with their darting attacking raids, City did not look the fittest team on the field. But, after the break all three visibly wilted in the heat, while Jackie McNamara’s side seemed to benefit from a full summer of pre-season training.

Such preparation could not have been matched by a Maidstone team still operating on a part-time basis following back-to-back promotions and it showed with the enthusiastic Flisher departing after 75 minutes as the Minstermen displayed encouraging reserves of stamina midway through the second half.

2 The wing-back system can provide forward thrust, but only if the wide men are employed in advanced positions

With a back three and two natural holding midfielders in Simon Heslop and Clovis Kamdjo, there was a big onus on flank patrollers Shaun Rooney and Alex Whittle to provide attacking impetus. Both, however, were rarely used as outlets during an opening 45 minutes when City were pinned back in their own half.

That changed in the second half and the importance of such forward thrust was highlighted when Rooney, positioned right on the byline, won the corner that led to the Minstermen’s equaliser following a cross by Whittle. The latter also came within inches of claiming a winning goal when his edge-of-the-box strike whistled narrowly wide.

If McNamara is to employ the same system during the next two fixtures – at home to Macclesfield and Boreham Wood – then both players will need to be stationed regularly in the final third of the pitch to provide their side with forward thrust.

3 City’s height can make them a greater threat at set-pieces this season

Surrounded by eight team-mates all measuring in excess of 6ft tall, Clovis Kamdjo did not appear the most obvious visiting candidate to score with his head from a corner at Maidstone. But post-match research revealed, at 5ft 11in, that he is no shrinking violet either and clearly possesses the kind of athletic spring that can give you an extra couple of inches’ advantage in an aerial contest.

With dead-ball deliveries rarely troubling the opposition under McNamara last term as the Minstermen tumbled out of the Football League, there appears to be greater potential from such situations in 2016/17 and Jack Higgins also demonstrated on a couple of occasions the penalty-box presence that saw him finish Stalybridge’s 13-goal leading marksman last term.

4 The visitors looked vulnerable defending corners and throw-ins

McNamara declared himself satisfied with the manner in which his team handled the aerial onslaught of a Maidstone team who looked to capitalise on Flisher’s long throw at every opportunity. But that proved the origin of the home side’s goal and there were other anxious moments with open goals missed and chances cleared off the line from similar situations.

With his 6ft 4in frame and the added reach benefits of being the only player in his box permitted to catch the ball, there is an emphasis on City keeper Scott Flinders to take command in such scenarios. But the 30-year-old net-minder did not always look comfortable or confident dealing with Maidstone’s high balls, taking three attempts to gather one first-half corner.

With other aspects of Flinders’ game, such as his shot-stopping and kicking, remaining exemplary, devising ways in which to make the City keeper more imposing at set-pieces should be prioritised and the subject of regular drills with goalkeeping coach Craig Hinchliffe. It might involve a change in the positioning of his defensive team-mates to give Flinders more space to attack balls or require a more aggressive demeanour from the former Hartlepool man.

Greater vocal and physical intimidation would certainly lead to opposition players thinking twice about contesting aerial challenges.

5 If the opposition possess a long-throw specialist, make sure you clear your lines higher up the pitch

Frustratingly, City gave the dangerous Flisher repeated chances to hurl the ball into their box during the first half. Too many throw-ins were conceded in threatening positions when there was ample opportunity to kick the ball out of play further up the pitch.

Applying that common-sense approach would have lessened the pressure City invited on to themselves in those opening 45 minutes.