NEAL ARDLEY applauded the performance of striker Will Davies, after making his first start for York City in their 2-0 victory over Oxford City.

Davies impressed his new manager after netting on his debut, scoring from close-range when latching onto Scott Burgess’ low cross.

Ardley was delighted with the efforts of Davies, and praised the mentality of latest addition after predicting a future for Davies in the Football League.

“Absolutely (pleased). I had somebody ring me on Sunday and he asked where we got Will Davies from, I’ve had people telling me about him for a while and that he would end up one day playing in the (Football) League, we moved quickly when we knew there was a chance.

“I’m delighted, he brought great energy and work ethic, he’s the sort of boy where he could probably have gone for more money, he as in a good job and earning good money and could have stayed part-time.

“He didn’t even talk about money to me, the first thing he said was that if he was coming he wanted to play, he wanted to be in the first-team and develop and be the player he can be.

“He did his homework on York and I talked about first and foremost working hard, he just said to not worry about that.

“It was a brilliant performance that we saw today.”

Ardley also refused to take credit for Tyler Cordner’s sixth minute wonder strike, handing York the lead against Oxford from 35-yards out.

The City boss provided an update on Dipo Akinyemi, who was a second-half casualty after pulling up with a hamstring issue.

“I can’t take credit!” Ardley laughed.

“I did a video on Monday, I always say to the players that I don’t want you shooting from 35-yards out whilst off-balance, I want us to try and find that extra pass and create a good chance.

“When Tyler drifted through the middle and found space, I thought ‘he’s not is he’!

“He actually had a shot on Saturday, where he was off-balance and mishit it.

“When it did go in, I said to the lads that I know I tell you not to shoot, but it’s when it’s off-balance.

“We don’t know the extent of it, but when someone feels a pinch in their hamstring it’s not very good.

“We’ll have to look at that and I’ll have a chat with the chairman, we’ve worked so hard with our recruitment and I know we’ve only had the one player in, but we’ve had seven or eight meetings and we’re watching players.

“I feel like I’ve got square eyes from looking at my computer screen so much analysing players.

“It might be a cramp, but we had to get him off.”