Match report

York City 0 Swansea City 0

No surprises in the line up with Nugent returning as Nardiello has gone back to Man U.

A very wet journey up but luckily the rain had stopped an hour before the game, even though it was dark enough for the floodlights to be on from the start. Another healthy following of 251 in a crowd of just over 3,000.

On a very soft pitch the players were very wary in the opening exchanges, as yet again the Swans were very slow to start, allowing York a couple of dangerous attacks that luckily came to nothing. The game then settled into an even contest with neither goal being unduly threatened. We can’t say it was boring, but a workmanlike performance from both teams with defences on top. Half way through the half Trundle turned on a piece of magic which saw him skip across goal. inside the penalty area. looking for an opening.

but was crowded out with the ball cleared towards the touchline. While play was carrying on Trundle and Hope decided to have a wrestling match on the ground, soon to be joined by most of both sides.

As it was up the far end can’t really comment on the rights or wrongs of the dual sending off, but the referee’s mind was made up for him due to the mass reaction of the other players. Again without knowing the full circumstances, a thought for Trundle. He enjoys winding up the opposition, and thus is a marked man, he must learn not to react, harder said than done I know. The sendings off added more of an edge to the rest of the half with tackles having more purpose to them. Roger pulled off two excellent saves to keep the scores level and the York keeper likewise from a Robinson free kick that was heading for the top corner.

So half time came with thoughts that the second half could go either way, although our thoughts were that we needed to replace Nugent with Thomas to offer something different up front. The game had passed Nugent by, with very few balls won.

It was no real surprise that the team was the same for the second half. Again it was very similar to the first half with defences being dominant. Roger again pulled off two more good saves, one resulting in Tate having to clear off the line to safety. At the other end we did create some panic as on three occasions Robinson broke from midfield running at the heart of the defence, but did not have the confidence to have a shot at goal, waiting for a clearer chance or support, but the chances were lost.

Our first substitution saw Jones on for Duffy, seeing Jones being more composed on the ball than Duffy had been. Midway through the half saw Nugent being replaced by Thomas, a change that was long overdue, and had been called for by the fans. Although not changing the game greatly, it did make our attacks more mobile. Although we thought we could snatch a winner it was York who finished the stronger having a string of corners.

With a strong rearguard action we survived. In the last five minutes Coates replaced Durkan who left the field to some ironic cheers from a few fans. It was undeserved, as he had put in a fair performance.

So a 0-0 draw from an away game to a play-off contender is not a bad result. After the final whistle Johnrose came to applaud the away fans, whilst most did so from a distance.

So a few closing thoughts. As everyone knows we need a fit Trundle and Maylett to offer us something in attack. We need a captain on the pitch. Martinez is that person, no one comes a close second.

Whilst both Robinson and Britton can break from midfield they offer very little with the final ball. Today they were the outlets, but they need to be the supporting act.

Roger again saved the day, without whose saves we would have lost the game. And a final note on York. This could well have been the last visit to Bootham Crescent as their lease is up at the end of the season.

Maybe not a hotbed in footballing terms but is always a welcoming ground to visit. We wish them well in their plans for next season.