Marc's Sunday special

Two will do: City forward Marc Williams netted a deadly double against Lincoln to earn his new team three vital points

Appeal: Neil Tolson

Gloom, if not doom, graced the faces of the City faithful before the Sabbath get-together at Lincoln City. No games won for almost three months, now no Cresswell.

But after a swing high, swing low chariot of a tussle, it was all war-whoops and cries of delight.

Thanks to an overwhelmingly obdurate team spirit and an outstanding solo display of striking from new number nine Marc Williams, the Minstermen celebrated a victory as uplifting as a celestial choir.

Even the loss of an early goal did not side-track the Minstermen from their mission. To a man they recovered, rallied, and resurrected the hope of avoiding the drop.

And in the feisty frame of Williams the faithful latched on to a new hero. His never-say die stalking of the ball was rewarded by a brace of goals, the first of which was a blur of beauty to behold as it bulleted into the Lincoln net. Do City now have a new 'Marco Goalo' in their midst?

The biggest question was answered, however by the team. Always blessed with the ability to match the best, their Sunday drool outing demonstrated character and commitment to complete the escape.

That did not look the case minutes into the six-pointer as the drums of Sincil Bank reverberated. The incessant beat was akin to the theme from Stingray - 'anything can happen in the next half hour' - and it signalled the one thing the Minstermen did not want to occur.

Goalkeeper Andy Warrington had already excelled with an agile push away from Gavin Gordon's cross-shot after a mere seven seconds. But he had no chance three minutes on.

A bomb of a cross from ex-Welsh international David Phillips was guided down by Lee Thorpe to a waiting Paul Miller to lash home on the half-volley.

Gradually, York clawed their way back, but their rally barely hinted at success. Of the midfield quartet only Scott Jordan offered poise amid the scraps of a high wind, bobbling pitch, and quick-limbed challenges.

Newcomer Craig Skinner was still finding his feet, while both the skills of Alan Pouton and Martin Garratt were negated by each playing in positions not best suited to their talents. In the middle Garratt was unable to get going. Out wide Pouton was too often isolated from the pace and passion.

That led to strikers Neil Tolson and Williams fighting for scraps.

Tolson won his fair share of aerial duels without reward, while buzzsaw Williams ferreted fearlessly. He had the best chance to level in an indifferent first-half, but at full-stretch his poked shot was blocked by Imps' goalkeeper John Vaughan.

Meanwhile, the two 'P's in the home squad - Lee Philpott and David Phillips - bossed. Philpott's deft foot was a nuisance, while veteran Phillips boasted quality. When not shutting down space in front of the back four he was spearing first-time passes into the York defence.

But bizarrely against the wind Thompson's men began to exert authority and adhere to the manager's wish to play more in their opponents' half.

Tolson skilfully fed Barry Jones, who ushered a pass to Skinner. The winger unleashed a fierce drive, but a dream debut goal was denied by the bar.

Soon after Pouton, patrolling a more central beat, wrapped his foot round a shot just wide and 'keeper Vaughan had to be alert to fist away a goal-bound corner from Wayne Hall. The jitters were spreading across the Imps ranks and the drums were less frequent.

They fell silent when Williams scored a wondrous strike for his first City goal. Taking a Tolson flick he arched his frame to smack a percussive volley from 28 yards that rocketed into the net.

Now City had the right rhythm. Jordan's volley bruised the bar, Tolson's follow-up blocked by Grant Brown's last-ditch tackle. Then Williams, spun off his marker, his crashing drive grasped by Vaughan only at the second attempt.

Lincoln countered, but Jones rescued the Minstermen hoisting Gordon's shot off the goal-line.

Then came the decisive moment. Tolson again fed Williams, whose pace left Holmes trailing with all the mobility of a tower-block. He took aim, he fired and the ball was rifled in. Hallelujah.

Tolson pleads his case

Back in harness Neil Tolson has issued a stay and play appeal.

The man who would have moved on deadline day but for the £1million departure of Richard Cresswell to Sheffield Wednesday, again explained he would love to remain with York City.

Tolson, who was within hours of signing for ambitious Conference League outfit Rushden and Diamonds, is out of contract with City in the summer and able to walk away for no fee under the Bosman ruling.

But the 25-year-old marksman said he would like to prolong his stay at Bootham Crescent, where he has been for almost three years.

"I think I can prove to people that I can play in the Second Division because I don't want to drop out of the League if possible," said Tolson.

"I have made it quite clear I am happy in York. I would be happy to stay here."

The City striker, who linked up smartly with two-goal star Marc Williams to underwrite City's first conquest in almost three months, said it was up to himself and the other forwards to prove City can prosper in the absence of Cresswell.

"The club couldn't hold back Cressie and no-one would want to. You can't stand in the lad's way.

"Now it's up to the rest of us to show that we can battle as well as having the ability. I thought here at Lincoln we defended well across the team from front to the back."

Tolson saluted the marksmanship of his new strike partner. "They were two great finishes and I said to him at the end that I wonder if I'm going to make another million-pound player," he quipped.

York City Match Facts

7seconds: Flying save from Andy Warrington pushes away a Gavin Gordon cross-shot.

4min: Lee Thorpe heads down high cross from debutant David Phillips for Paul Miller to sidefoot in. 1-0.

16min: Marc Williams latches on to errant back-header from Chris Wilder, but goalkeeper John Vaughan dashes out to block.

17min: Stuart Bimson almost scores with cross cum shot that dips in the wind over the crossbar.

23min: Mis-control by Chris Fairclough lets in Thorpe to square to Gordon, but Warrington saves.

39min: Rousing run from Neil Tolson takes him past two markers, but his final shot blocked by Steve Holmes.

58min: Tolson and Barry Jones combine to tee up new boy Craig Skinner, whose searing shot rattles the crossbar.

65min: Inswinging corner from Wayne Hall is punched off the goal-line by Vaughan.

73min: Explosive strike from Williams rips into the net. 1-1.

74min: Scott Jordan crashes a whiplash volley against the bar.

77min: Williams forces diving save from Vaughan with another long-range blast.

77min: Jones rescues City with a goal-line clearance from Gordon.

79min: Williams streaks away from Andrew Dawson's flick to swipe the ball under Vaughan. 1-2.

Half time: Lincoln City 1, City 0

Shots on target: Lincoln City 4, City 7

Corner kicks: Lincoln City 5, City 8

Weather: Sunny, just like City

Tap & Spile Man of the Match

Neil Tolson.

While Marc Williams bagged the lion's share of plaudits for his goals his ally up front was not only involved in all City's best attacks, but was a Trojan-like worker in defence.

Fans' panel 1998-99

Have City proved there is life after Cresswell?

Gary Chatterton, Age 31

I don't think we've found the new Cresswell, but we've found his replacement in Marc Williams. His goals were outstanding. He showed pace and wanted the ball all the time.

Ruth Reynolds, Age 38

In the second-half they definitely did. The first-half was shaky again. But they came out fighting and with Marc Williams in his proper position we have got a good buy there.

Garry Cummings, Age 41

Yes there is after those two tremendous and high-quality goals from Marc Williams. But City have to make sure they play to his pace and on the deck rather than lump the ball high up to him.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.