PRE-SEASON friendlies are all about getting miles in the tank, negotiating hard yards, honing condition for the only kick-off that counts.

Well, York City signed off their summer programme with a double bonus – they remained undefeated and, in clawing back an early shock deficit to restore parity against Sheffield United, also exemplified ample resolve and resilience.

Saturday’s finale at Bootham Crescent was far from the most satisfying spectacle the minority of City fans in the 2,230 crowd will have witnessed, but the first full squad assembled by manager Nigel Worthington demonstrated a vigorous will not to buckle or fade.

The 20 Minstermen on duty against a Blades side frequently indulging in bouts of keep-ball under a sweltering sun finished the stronger.

That, as much as anything, will have impressed manager Worthington and the City faithful, who are now keenly anticipating the return to full-blown Sky Bet League Two action at home to Northampton Town this coming Saturday.

There were also several other notable facets of the final friendly that quickened the heart for the hosts, who were outnumbered on the terraces by their South Yorkshire guests.

Of particular delight was the performance at left-back of Ben Davies and, following his withdrawal, the promise of more home-grown youngsters.

Davies, who has joined on a month’s loan from Preston, was an eye-catcher in the problematic left-back role.

His distribution was always tidy, while his covering across the line to snuff out danger was noteworthy in one who is still only 17.

Had it not been for his intervention when he did enough in a lunging challenge to put off the powerful Lyle Taylor in the 11th minute, City would have faced a two-goal deficit.

As it was they only trailed 1-0 when, two minutes earlier, a sumptuous 60-yard pass from on-loan Conor Coady was flicked on by Taylor for Callum McFadzean to ease across the City back line before leathering a left-foot tracer that Michael Ingham could only get a finger to before it rippled the rigging.

With Coady pulling the strings from midfield City were second-best, either tamed by the Blades’ accurate passing or becalmed by another scorching Saturday.

Davies grew more in influence as the first half wore on. His fierce cross from the left hammered in on the half-volley was a fraction away from the forehead of Michael Coulson. Just minutes later the two again combined for Coulson to draw a twisting save from United goalkeeper Mark Howard.

From the corner, delivered neatly by Davies, a downward Richard Cresswell header flew right across goal with no City boot present to apply the finishing touch.

The second half started brighter for the Minstermen, a goal-bound Ryan Jarvis header unluckily deflected away off a Blades defender while an attempted close-range Coulson lob was just kept out by the alert Howard.

The game’s spectacle though was detracted by a slew of substitutions, City making nine replacements, their visitors seven.

But the changes introduced the home fans to young right-back Mike Atkinson, whose aggression and sturdiness was welcome, while another colt, Cameron Murray, refused to be cowed by a flailing United defence enabling fellow sub Ryan Bowman to swat home a deserved leveller 11 minutes from time.

A revival and comeback kids – what more could you want from a pre-season swansong.


York City: Michael Ingham, Dan Parslow, Chris Smith (Mike Atkinson 65min), Tom Allan (David McGurk 46), Ben Davies (Jamal Fyfield 63), Sander Puri (Ashley Chambers 46), Craig Clay (Harry Coates 65), Tom Platt (Cameron Murray 65), Michael Coulson (John McReady 75), Ryan Jarvis (Chris Dickinson 75), Richard Cresswell (Ryan Bowman 63).

Sheffield United: Mark Howard, Tony McMahon (Terry Kennedy 61), Danny Higginbotham, Matt Hill, Ryan Flynn (Otis Khan 61), Jamal Smith (Jordan Hodder 75), Lyle Taylor (Joe Ironside 61), Callum McFadzean (Connor di Maio 67), Elliott Whitehouse, Conor Coady (Lewis Reed 67), Sean McGinty (Aaron Barry 75).

Referee: Scott Duncan.

Crowd: 2,230 (1,188 from Sheffield).