A second half goal from York City’s trialist was enough to down Moors at The Brewery Field in their final friendly of pre-season.
The only goal of the game came just before the hour mark as the trialist tucked home a smart finish into the bottom corner.
York started the first half well, with Olly Dyson having to dramatically intervene on just two minutes when he sliced an inviting ball into Brad James post in an attempt to clear the danger.
The away side continued to come forward, with Malachi Fagan-Walcott going close two minutes later. The number 4 was played in behind, before he struck an effort low towards James, who saved well.
Another couple of half chances went by for the visitors, first through Ben Brookes, who fired over from inside the area. Ben Beals then recovered well to block a dangerous looking ball in by Ollie Banks.
Moors first real chance came on the 17th minute, as Mackenzie Heaney looped a ball in towards Glen Taylor. However, the big number 9 saw his effort deflected wide.
Both sides went on to get some half chances away, as Tyreese Sinclair’s low shot was well saved by James, before Heaney’s curled strike was saved by Harrison Male two minutes later.
City came close again as Hiram Boateng got on the end of a bright one-two in the area. The number 21, however, saw his effort saved by James from close range.
York ended the half the better, as Joe Felix unleashed a wicked effort on goal, which flew just wide. Alex Newby also had a chance just before the break, but he prodded his close-range attempt wide.
Newby continued to cause problems after the break, as he had a shot deflected wide just six minutes in.
It was The Minstermen who broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. From the edge of the box, the substitute trialist dispatched a tidy finish into the bottom left-hand corner of James’ net to give the away side the lead.
York went forward with again, this time through Boateng. His effort, however, dipped just wide of the post.
Boateng was involved again in the 60th minute as a ball was chipped into the area towards him. His touch just wasn’t good enough though, as James ran out to collect.
Substitute Mo Fadera saw his curled strike soar over the bar on the 71st minute as York continued to look dangerous going forward.
Moors looked to kick into gear with 11 minutes of the fixture remaining. Junior Mondal went close as he got into a good position on the left-hand side of the penalty area, only for his strike to be deflected back out to the touchline.
The substitute regained possession on the far side, before squaring a ball into the path of Gary Madine, whose powerful shot was deflected wide for a corner.
Graeme Lee’s side had an awkward moment on the 82nd minute as City’s trialist had an effort deflected onto the post by Callum Luck, which just about gave James the time to claim the ball on his own goal line.
Substitute, josh Stones laid the ball off to Mo Fadera on the edge of the penalty area after some good build up, but his shot curled well over the bar.
A good test for Moors against strong, National League opposition. Graeme Lee will now shift focus onto the first game of the new season at home to Hereford next Saturday.
Full Time: Moors 0 York City 1
Moors: James, Dyson, Pollock, Beals, Trialist (Madine 53), Green (Luck 72), Dolan, McKeown (Salkeld 75), Ramshaw, Heaney (Mondal 75), Taylor (Doherty 84).
Subs not used: Atkinson, Hancox.
Referee: Mark Bell
Attendance: 596
