Stoppage time strike from Dipo Akinyemi inspires York City comeback

A late comeback from York saw goals from Lenell John-Lewis and Akinyemi turn the deficit and claim a crucial victory for the visitors, seeing the Daggers winless run extend to seven.

City manager Neal Ardley had anticipated a tough match prior to kick-off, and it appeared to be just that after an underwhelming first-half from the Minstermen that saw York fail to register a single shot on goal.

But Ardley’s words at half-time inspired a spirited comeback from City, with Akinyemi netting a stoppage time winner to boost the Minstermen up to 17th in the Vanarama National League.

Dagenham had taken the lead on the hour mark after a fantastic move from the hosts allowed Ryan Hill the space to cap off an excellent cross, slamming home from close-range.

John-Lewis levelled the scores after a composed finish saw the City captain expertly smash the ball home from close-range, to the dismay of Elliot Justham.

But it was Akinyemi who won the match deep into stoppage time, after latching onto a John-Lewis pass before sliding the ball into the far corner from a tight angle.

Whilst Ardley did start the match with a different system, it changed less than 40 minutes in after a disappointing start to the first-half.

Injuries at the back saw Zanda Siziba replace Theirry Latty-Fairweather in left-wing back after the latter had suffered an injury in the 2-2 draw with Solihull Moors at the weekend.

Aiden Marsh also came into the starting eleven in place of Lenell John-Lewis, although the pair swapped in just the 38th minute as part of a tactical decision from Ardley.

Dan Batty was also back in the starting eleven after missing Saturday’s clash due to personal issues, with his involvement tonight depending on the condition of his unwell child.

But despite York’s tactical changes, it was a really hard watch for a hugely disappointing start to the first half.

With Dagenham dominating possession, Hill had constant involvement and nearly sparked an opportunity as his cross-shot was deflected narrowly wide of the target by a Dagenham body.

Charley Kendall went close for the hosts with a curling effort from the edge of the box, but Ryan Whitley was equal to his strike, although he did require treatment immediately after.

The Daggers came even closer after a free-kick found the head of Nikola Tavares, whose header back into the box was met by Josh Rees’, with the midfielder’s effort agonisingly skimming the crossbar.

Whitley was on hand again to meet another Hill strike, before being called into action to make a tremendous stop when tipping another Hill effort over the crossbar.

Hill was instrumenting play for the Daggers, and again caused issues when avoiding two challenges before forcing Whitley into a low stop at his near post.

Ardley had a job on his hands heading into the half-time break, with his City side failing to register a single shot in the entirety of the opening forty-five minutes.

York did show improvements in the second-half and made a half-time switch, before accumulating back-to-back chances for John-Lewis.

Ryan Fallowfield’s cross picked out John-Lewis in the box, but his sliced volley trickled well wide of the target.

The City captain had another chance after meeting substitute Callum Harriott’s free-kick, but couldn’t keep his header down.

But despite the Minstermen showing more spirit in the early stages of the second-half, it would be Dagenham who would take the advantage.

Hill capped off a fantastic performance when finishing off a well-worked move, slamming the ball home from close-range from Freddie Sears’ low cross.

It was nearly two for the Daggers, after Frank Vincent beat the offside trap to race through one-on-one with Whitley, but his bobbling effort was blasted over the crossbar.

Kendall and Sears both had strikes hit goalwards with City sustaining some Dagenham pressure, but Whitley was again on hand to make two important saves.

But York managed just their first attempt on target in the 76th minute, with Burgess, making his first appearance of the season, latching onto a through ball from Dipo Akinyemi but being denied by Justham at his near post.

John-Lewis then came close to an equaliser by forcing another excellent stop by Justham, finding space in the box and hammering a strike goalwards, only for the Daggers shot-stopper to tip clear.

But with the Minstermen enjoying a first spell of pressure in the match, they capitalised and levelled the scoreline.

John-Lewis finally got his goal for the night, meeting an inch-perfect pass from Burgess before expertly directing the ball into the top corner to Justham’s agony, and bringing City level with their hosts.

York had hopes of stealing a crucial three points, with Harriott first having a strike comfortably smothered by Justham, before firing a powerful effort into the side netting.

And their prayers would be answered with just minutes remaining, as York stole the three points.

A spirited effort from John-Lewis saw the striker retain possession, before feeding Akinyemi to slide the ball home from a tight angle, sending those travelling City supporters home from East London in fantastic spirits.

Dag & Red: Justham, Hare, Tavares, Kendall (Ibie, 90+4), Page, Vincent, Hessenthaler, Rees, Phipps, Hill (Appiah-Forson, 82), Sears

Subs: Francis-Clarke, Longe-King

Goal: Hill (60)

Yellow cards: Page (42), Kendall (56)

York City: Whitley 7, Fallowfield 6, Cordner 6 (Burgess 7, 70), Howe 6, Smith 5, Siziba 6 (Harriott 6, 46), McLaughlin 6, Batty 7, Dyson 6, Marsh 5 (John-Lewis 8, 38), Akinyemi 7

Subs not used: Castro, Kennedy

Yellow cards: John-Lewis (77), Akinyemi (90+5)

Goals: John-Lewis (85), Akinyemi (90+5)

York’s star man: Lenell John-Lewis. A goal and an assist for the York captain who showed his influence, having a fantastic impact from the bench to win City the game.

Attendance: 1315 (176)

Shots off (on target): 8 (4) | 2 (5)

Corners: 4 | 3

Offsides: 0 | 0

Fouls committed: 5 | 12