Blue Square Bet play-off final - York City 2 Luton 1 (From York Press)
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Blue Square Bet play-off final - York City 2 Luton 1
5:01pm Sunday 20th May 2012 in News
By Peter Martini, peter.martini@thepress.co.uk
Matty Blair celebrates his goal
YORK City are back in the Football League.
The Minstermen came from behind to beat Luton Town 2-1 in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final at Wembley today.
It was City's second quick-fire trip to the national stadium following their FA Trophy triumph over Newport last Saturday, though this time the bigger prize of a place back in the League after an eight-year hiatus in the Conference was on offer.
This game was better, too, and much more tense as Luton pressed and pressed for a late equaliser. But Gary Mills' heroes held on, sending the City faithful into raptures.
The goal heroes were Ashley Chambers and Matty Blair - with a controversial winner - though the defence deserve just as many plaudits, not least Lanre Oyebanjo, who made two brave blocks on his own line.
The game couldn't have started worse for the Minstermen. After a neat interchange down Luton's left, the ball was cut back and Andre Gray, inside the left corner of the area, side-footed it with precision, the ball going in off the far post. It was a fine finish. Only 71 seconds had passed.
City had started slowly against Newport here last week, before getting into their stride with two second-half goals.
They were in the game quicker here, and were unlucky not be level by the quarter-hour mark.
Jon Challinor saw a goal-bound shot deflected over by ex-City man Alex Lawless. Then the Minstermen were denied a penalty when the ball bounced up off Jake Howells knee onto his outstretched arms.
Soon, Jason Walker out-jumped Janos Kovacs but saw his looping header tipped over by Mark Tyler. Walker's every touch was booed by the Luton fans – he had missed a penalty for the Hatters in last year's play-off final defeat, before departing Kenilworth Road.
At the other end, Gray had another site of goal but this time his effort was deflected wide.
However, City, after that shaky start, were on top and duly equalised with a cracker from Ashley Chambers.
Lanre's Oyebanjo's free-kick from the right saw Chris Smith do well to play it back across the box, and Chambers steamed in to blast it home from 12 yards, catching the ball sweetly on the rise.
There was bad news, though, as in winning the free-kick, Jon Challinor seemed to hurt an ankle. Gray soon teased the crocked full-back, with the ball falling to Adam Watkins inside the box, but the midfielder fluffed his moment.
Challinor soon departed, with Oyebanjo moving to right-back and Scott Brown coming into midfield.
The substitution seemed to unsettle York as Luton finishing the half with a flourish, but they went in at half-time deservedly level.
Nevertheless, City began the second half just as Luton had the first – with a rapid goal, albeit shrouded in controversy.
Oyebanjo's long throw was flicked on by Dan Parslow and Blair put it in. Blair had been at least a yard offside but the flag stayed down. The only possible reason was the linesman thought the ball had come off a defender, but York got lucky.
Meredith could have made it 3-1 but flicked his close-range header over the bar, while Chambers - like last week having a belter at Wembley - then beat a man before arcing a shot towards the left corner, only for Tyler to get down well.
Luton were well in it, though. Oyebanjo made a superb header at the far post to deny Hatters sub Craig McAllister, who was hurt in the process and had to depart.
From the corner, Gray twice miss-kicked right in front of goal and York managed to clear.
The pressure on the Minstermen was mounting, while further forward a crocked Chambers went off in the 78th minute, to be replaced by Jamie Reed.
Oyebanjo was again City's hero as he somehow blocked JP Kissock's close-range effort on the goal-line after Ingham had flapped at a cross. Kissock, like McAllister, was bloodied.
The Hatters continued to press but Ingham was not unduly troubled again and the final whistle signalled wild celebrations on and off the pitch.
Don't miss The Press tomorrow for City writer Dave Flett's match report, analysis and player ratings, plus pictures and all the reaction.
Comments(29)
Garrowby Turnoff
says...
5:18pm Sun 20 May 12
NottsExile
says...
5:24pm Sun 20 May 12
I have supported City for 40 years and the legends that have been created rival anything of the past. We must be vigilant in making sure no club attempts to poach any of these players.
Well done one and all and here's to the new LEAGUE season!!!
GrimsbyMariner
says...
5:33pm Sun 20 May 12
I thought the final would be 50/50. Being selfish, I wanted the team that was regarded as most of a threat to Grimsby next season to go up. Again, that was about 50/50. City have more class though (Club, team and fans).
Both City and Luton have beaten us at home this season with a last minute winner. York played the far more accomplished attacking football though. Enjoy a long stay in the FL.
My City mates will be in heaven. (Grimsby fan living in York). No more close away day either for me or other Town fans.
Mickey T
says...
5:47pm Sun 20 May 12
Thanx to Gary, Darren and all the lads for what has been a roller coaster season that may never be topped.
Not forgetting Jason McGill for all he has done to get us back into the League.
Ycfc3003
says...
5:56pm Sun 20 May 12
KAT1965
says...
5:59pm Sun 20 May 12
Ycfc3003 wrote:My son and I will be fighting to be YCFC. Might have to transfer all the York players when he is not looking!!!!!
Were gonna be on fifa!!!!!!!!!!
Back and Beyond
says...
6:03pm Sun 20 May 12
marksf
says...
6:38pm Sun 20 May 12
YoRkIe59
says...
6:39pm Sun 20 May 12
duffy
says...
6:41pm Sun 20 May 12
lifelong
says...
8:00pm Sun 20 May 12
These are simply wonderful times and with a couple of trophies to display probably are the best in the Clubs history edging out 1955 and 1983.
My congratulations to all concerned especially the fantastic group of supporters who have journeyed far and wide some times in desperate weather conditions and of course the McGill family without whom this event would not have happened. We have come a long way since Douglas Craig and his cohorts including Barry Swallow took their shekels and almost brought the club to its knees.
A great day indeed!!!!
Mickey T
says...
8:07pm Sun 20 May 12
lifelong wrote:Great post lifelong, well put.
As a supporter since 1945 this has been a magical week. In todays pulsating final York City went a goal down inside 71 seconds but then typically fought back to win their place back in the Football League with goals from Chambers and'you know who'!!. Manager Mills must be kept at all costs because this team has not realised its potential and he is bound to receive generous offers to move. Apart from immediately confirming the Freedom of the City of York at the Guildhall tomorrow night the City Management should sit down with Mills on Tuesday to discuss his permanent future at Bootham Crescent!
These are simply wonderful times and with a couple of trophies to display probably are the best in the Clubs history edging out 1955 and 1983.
My congratulations to all concerned especially the fantastic group of supporters who have journeyed far and wide some times in desperate weather conditions and of course the McGill family without whom this event would not have happened. We have come a long way since Douglas Craig and his cohorts including Barry Swallow took their shekels and almost brought the club to its knees.
A great day indeed!!!!
PDH
says...
8:48pm Sun 20 May 12
duffy wrote:What some people will do to try to become famous. lol
Wow what a day that was, we definatly came to the party and this season is now officialy a success. I await numerous posters concentrating more on me than the team. Just pretend I'm not here.
NeverbeentoMolineux
says...
8:54pm Sun 20 May 12
Ingham had a good day today and needed to. Luton came at us after we scored the second and all credit to them. As for the guy above moaning about offside, if the foul had been given to us 30 seconds before you scored, as it should have been, you wouldn't have done. Some you win some you lose.
Time for the bright lights of Barnet next season......Oh the glamour.
henleazeyorkie
says...
9:58pm Sun 20 May 12
Luton v Hyde
Luton v Dartford
Luton v Nuneaton
HA HA! (where will the 30,000 be for those beauties I wonder?)
OLD - HEAD
says...
10:10pm Sun 20 May 12
Even AndyD
says...
10:11pm Sun 20 May 12
coolyman4
says...
11:11pm Sun 20 May 12
York Pom
says...
11:13pm Sun 20 May 12
captaineagleeye
says...
11:41pm Sun 20 May 12
Lycett
says...
12:06am Mon 21 May 12
boyerforengland
says...
12:14am Mon 21 May 12
marksf wrote:We've had 8 years of "random decisions" so I know how you feel. But regardless of whether todays officials were right or wrong there is no doubt that the best footballing team the conference has ever seen has got its just rewards - I WAS THERE!
This is why Luton need to get out of this league - officials that make the result a purely random event. One yard off side, two yards? Do the officials actually know the rules?
boyerforengland
says...
12:27am Mon 21 May 12
lifelong wrote:Well said "lifelong" - wouldn't it be the perfect day if Douglas Craig and his fellow saddos would come out and apologise for their pitiful greed? It'll never happen because people like Craig don't understand the meaning of friendship or loyalty - fantastic day today, Mills IS the only love of my life!
As a supporter since 1945 this has been a magical week. In todays pulsating final York City went a goal down inside 71 seconds but then typically fought back to win their place back in the Football League with goals from Chambers and'you know who'!!. Manager Mills must be kept at all costs because this team has not realised its potential and he is bound to receive generous offers to move. Apart from immediately confirming the Freedom of the City of York at the Guildhall tomorrow night the City Management should sit down with Mills on Tuesday to discuss his permanent future at Bootham Crescent!
These are simply wonderful times and with a couple of trophies to display probably are the best in the Clubs history edging out 1955 and 1983.
My congratulations to all concerned especially the fantastic group of supporters who have journeyed far and wide some times in desperate weather conditions and of course the McGill family without whom this event would not have happened. We have come a long way since Douglas Craig and his cohorts including Barry Swallow took their shekels and almost brought the club to its knees.
A great day indeed!!!!
lifelong
says...
7:36am Mon 21 May 12
But lets not be diverted from our celebration of regaining our status as a Football League club. Happy days eh!
fixedfanatic
says...
8:19am Mon 21 May 12
skilly
says...
9:13am Mon 21 May 12
Al-YCFC
says...
9:35am Mon 21 May 12
NeverbeentoMolineux wrote:I agree, Ingham collected several dangerous crosses. With Kovacs lurking in the box Ingham could have won us the game.
We were immense today. To come back from a shock like that after 1 minute shows what this team is made of.
Ingham had a good day today and needed to. Luton came at us after we scored the second and all credit to them. As for the guy above moaning about offside, if the foul had been given to us 30 seconds before you scored, as it should have been, you wouldn't have done. Some you win some you lose.
Time for the bright lights of Barnet next season......Oh the glamour.
malc of york
says...
10:58am Mon 21 May 12
dave from witney says...
5:15pm Sun 20 May 12