York City clinch much-needed league win versus dejected Yeovil

York were in desperate need of a victory after managing just two league wins in their last 19 matches.

But goals from Olly Dyson and Lenell John-Lewis rendered Josh Staunton’s earlier equaliser a consolation, with Morton clinching his first Vanarama National League victory since being reinstated into the interim role.

Morton surprised supporters by electing to not make any changes from the side who secured a 1-1 draw against Boreham Wood in midweek, despite having some key players back available.

Mitch Hancox and Shaq Forde were both back available and were expected to be immediately reinstated into the starting eleven, but this wasn’t the case.

Maziar Kouhyar also remained on the bench after making short cameos against Wealdstone and Boreham Wood in the last seven days, with the winger looking to regain match fitness after a lengthy abductor injury.

However, this would quickly change in the first half, after a concussion injury to Ethan Ross and a facial injury to Manny Duku meant two first half substitutions were required, disrupting a very stop-start first half.

Duku was a surprise inclusion to start off with, with many believing Forde would return to the starting eleven.

But the towering forward was involved from the off, consistently pressurizing a patient game that Yeovil were playing.

Manager Mark Cooper had clearly set up his Glovers side to play out from the back, which was frustrating for the York side.

Therefore it was a quiet opening 15 minutes to the contest, until Lenell John-Lewis tested Grant Smith out of nothing with an audacious half-volley from distance, forcing a cat-like stop from Smith.

And from the resulting throwing, City capitalised.

A long throw from Mark Ellis, aided by a towel, was flicked into the back post to cause confusion amongst the Yeovil defence, allowing Dyson to pounce on the loose ball and hammer past a dazed Smith.

Yeovil looked to immediately respond through Morgan Williams, as a Jordan Maguire-Drew free-kick from a dangerous position saw Williams in acres of space in the six-yard box, where he somehow headed over the bar.

York were thrusted into a first change not long after, as Ross appeared to crumble when collecting a ball. Despite being originally waved to play on, it was clear two minutes later that Ross could not, meaning he was replaced by York-born Ryan Whitley.

Duku was another first half casualty, but it was courtesy of a major chance for the striker.

A floated cross from Dyson picked out Duku in a penetrative position, where he forced Smith into an acrobatic save.

Unfortunately, Duku landed funnily from the effort, and was forced into a change for Forde. It w as in confusing conditions, as Duku wanted Morton to ignore the advice of the physio and insisted he could carry on, but Morton was understandably not willing to take the chance.

These changes forced ten minutes of stoppage time at the LNER Community Stadium, where York nearly doubled their lead again.

A clever reverse-pass from Forde played Paddy McLaughlin in behind, but his tame effort couldn’t trouble Smith from a difficult position.

Heading into the second half, York were once again slow to the start.

Yeovil showed their dominance early on, patiently keeping hold of possession and refuting City from entering the Glovers final third.

The Minstermen slowly began to grow into the game, but will be fine with forgetting John-Lewis’ effort which rose onto the roof of the stand.

York found themselves putting their bodies on the line in defence, as strikes from Jordan Young, Jordan Maguire-Drew and Owen Bevan were all blocked.

And not long later, Yeovil’s second half dominance would have a reward.

A dangerous cross from Charlie Cooper, son of manager Mark, caused difficulties for the City defence before being headed home by captain Josh Staunton, albeit with a major deflection to disorientate Whitley.

York looked to immediately respond and it was a first of back-to-back chances for Forde.

The tricky striker first manoeuvred his way past Staunton to break into the Yeovil box, but his shot was tame on his weak foot and failed to threaten Smith too much.

And just five minutes later, Forde would be even more frustrated.

Forde showed great composure to control a John-Lewis knock on before rounding Smith, taking on Williams, and with the goal at his mercy, Forde somehow blasted over the bar when tumbling over.

But a resilient performance from the Minstermen needed three points, and with the scores level, John-Lewis changed that.

An impressive run from Forde saw Fallowfield travelling on the outside, allowing the defender to deliver a teasing cross onto the head of the onrushing John-Lewis, who was able to glance the ball home to send the LNER Community Stadium into ruptures.

It required some brave defending and bodies on the line, but York clinched a crucial three points which sees the Minstermen rise to 18th in the Vanarama National League table, with four points separating City and the relegation zone.

York City: Ross 6 (Whitley 7 , 38), Fallowfield 8, Kouogun 6 (Kouhyar 6, 74), Ellis 7, Crookes 8, Whittle 7, Pybus 6, McLaughlin 7, Dyson 8, Duku 6 (Forde 6, 44), John-Lewis 8

Subs not used: Hancox, Duckworth

Goals: Dyson (15), John-Lewis (83)

Yellow cards: Dyson (58), Fallowfield (78)

Yeovil Town: Smith 6, Williams 5, Staunton 7, Bevan 5, Law 6, Maguire-Drew 5 (Oluwabori 6, 57), Palmer-Houlden 5 (Fisher 7, 56), Owers 6 (Johnson 5, 73), Cooper 6, Worthington 5, Young 5

Subs not used: Reckord, D’Ath

Goals: Staunton (60)

Yellow cards: Cooper (90)

York’s star man: Olly Dyson. A gutsy performance from the midfielder who helped out with a clinical finish from close-range. Dyson never stopped running and spearheaded the midfield.

Referee: Ed Duckworth

Attendance: 3978 (167)

Shots (on target): 4 (7) | 2 (2)

Corners: 2 | 1

Offsides: 0 | 2

Fouls committed: 16 | 9