Sensational strike stunts York City in defeat to Eastleigh

It was a disappointing night for York after making the long-trip down to the South Coast, as the Spitfires completed the double over the Minstermen for the season.

But a sensational free-kick from first-half substitute Kelly was the only difference between the two sides, in what was a match which lacked consistent quality at the Silverlake Stadium.

It now means that Eastleigh are unbeaten for the month of February on home soil, but nevertheless a very respectable 177 York supporters made the long journey to support Michael Morton’s side.

City had celebrated only their Vanarama National League victory in their last 21 matches at the weekend, after a late header from Lenell John-Lewis guided the Minstermen to a crucial three points against a dejected Yeovil Town.

Eastleigh are no pushovers however, with the Spitfires looking to extend their unbeaten run to five after enjoying victories over Dagenham & Redbridge, Maidenhead United and Maidstone United in recent weeks.

Morton named a surprising five changes from the City side who defeated Yeovil Town 2-1 at the weekend.

Substitutions Ryan Whitley and Shaq Forde were both understandably integrated into the starting eleven, following injuries to both Ethan Ross and Manny Duku at the weekend.

Maziar Kouhyar was handed a first start since his elongated abductor injury, whilst Mitch Hancox and Fraser Kerr also both made their way into the line-up, at the expense of Paddy McLaughlin, Adam Crookes and Mark Ellis, who wasn’t involved in the squad but was present at the Silverlake Stadium.

In terms of injury news, the club confirmed that Ross had suffered a concussion on Saturday, whilst Crookes (shoulder), Ellis (heel), Duku (mouth) and Alex Hurst (ankle) were the unfortunate casualties.

Despite Eastleigh’s impressive league position, it was a surprisingly poor first-half for the home side.

This was summed up in the opening two minutes from a JJ McKiernan corner, which didn’t even make the penalty box before floating harmlessly into the stand behind the goal.

There wasn’t signs of pure quality from York either however, as a Dan Pybus free-kick found Fraser Kerr in the box, but the defender was offside from his chance.

The game had to wait 20 minutes before a first glimmer of a chance at the Silverlake Stadium, as a cheeky flick from John-Lewis fed Kouhyar down the wing, and his teasing cross required a crucial tough from Vincent Harper to nick the ball away from the lingering Forde.

Harper injured himself in his process of heroism, and was a first casualty for Eastleigh, being subbed off in the 25th minute.

City were slowly growing into the game and had a first attempt on goal on the brink of the half-an-hour mark, as Forde danced around the Eastleigh challenges before slamming a strike narrowly wide of Joe McDonnell’s post.

Danny Whitehall looked to catch Whitley out when pouncing onto a poor clearance, but his audacious long-ranged effort was calmly collected by the young goalkeeper.

Eastleigh were struck another blow not long before half-time, as McKiernan felt a twinge in his hamstring and was replaced by Brennan Camp.

But York’s biggest chance of the half fell to Olly Dyson, who had looked bright, as he chopped and turned on Michael Kelly before forcing McDonnell into a reactionary low stop from close-range.

Heading into the second half, it was clearly going to take something special for the deadlock to be broken.

Following a rash challenge from Kerr on Kairo Mitchell, who had already swerved past two challenges, Eastleigh were awarded a free-kick in a frightening position.

A sensationally struck shot from substitute Kelly was too well-hit for Whitley to make the save, as the ball nestled into the top corner to gift Eastleigh the lead.

York looked to immediately respond after a string of corners, before the ball fell to Hancox on the edge of the box, but his strike was bravely deflected wide.

City continued to apply the pressure from the corners, as a well-worked routine allowed Pybus to switch the ball onto the head of Kerr, but the towering defender could only nod wide.

Ryan Fallowfield was providing a useful outlet down the right-hand side, and nearly carved open a chance as his low cross was flicked into a crowd of Eastleigh bodies by Hancox.

A frustration for the Minstermen in recent weeks have been a lack of chance creation from corners, but the reintegration of Kouhyar saw more chances created.

And John-Lewis nearly took advantage of the cross, but had his chance plucked out of the air by the onrushing McDonnell.

Luke James has been missing for the past month with a calf injury and illness, but a positive for Morton was the reintroduction of the former Peterborough United forward, who made his return to play when replacing Hancox in the 79th minute.

But it would a head in hands moment for City with just five minutes remaining.

Some clever build-up play involving James and Fallowfield allowed the latter to pull the ball back towards Tanner, but a suspected bobble on the ball meant the Cardiff City loanee’s strike from nine-yards out was blazed well over the bar.

It was a moment that summed up a frustrating afternoon for York, leaving the South Coast with minimum points on a bitterly cold night.

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Rutherford, Langston, Martin, Harper 6 (Kelly , 25), McKiernan 5 (Camp , 37), Cisse, Carter, Lloyd, Whitehall, Mitchell (Atangana 6, 76)

Subs not used: Payne, Scrimshaw

Goals: Kelly (52)

York City: Whitley 6, Fallowfield 7, Kouogun 6, Kerr 5, Whittle 5, Kouhyar 6 (Tanner 5, 74), Pybus 6, Dyson 7, Hancox 5 (James, 79), John-Lewis 6, Forde 6

Subs not used: Campbell, Duckworth, McLaughlin

Yellow cards: Forde (31), Hancox (33), Kerr (49), Whittle (72)

York’s star man: Olly Dyson. A strong performance from the midfielder who was a huge creative spark in a disappointing result for York. Another impressive display from last weekend’s opening goalscorer.

Referee: Paul Johnson

Attendance: 2199 (177)

Shots (on target): 0 (2) | 5 (1)

Corners: 2 | 8

Offsides: 2 | 4

Fouls committed: 5 | 14