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York City, It’s Happened Again
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Tuesday night half term de ja vu
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28/10/2026
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This article has been viewed 307 times.
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by Max Bygraves
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I won’t lie to you, I wasn’t as up for this as I might have been, but perhaps that’s added to the excitement in the wake of this. The Swindon game was rubbish last week and then I was away last weekend, the prolonged effects of recovery from this also not adding to my general enthusiasm. This helpfully made me miss the last minute Oldham anguish but altogether subsequently didn’t set me up as primed for this one as I might have been.
Anyway, after a late rally on Tuesday afternoon it was decided that a few beers before this one would be a good idea. What makes you bad makes you better. A kindly lift to The Tavern in New Barnet by my very understanding wife with a decent time til kick off secured. My accomplice, The Wardrobe, the main instigator in this idea was then delayed. What followed was a very convoluted journey to The Hive via a lift from the person who wanted to leave the car behind for the evening. Anyway, we got there and made it work.
It was quiet on arrival in Legends but the service time was quick and everything all good, early doors. I’m going to go early here and then query why on earth there was no pre pour in action at half time given the obvious crowd and demand. One step forward, two steps back. It is so infuriating that we find it impossible just to build and stick with a consistent system to make it work!
A lot had been made of York bringing 1000+ fans for a Tuesday night trip to Harrow for the second time in 3 seasons. Fair play, obviously. Impressive support and they were clearly gunning for revenge from their last time here in February 2025.
From the early stages of the game, there was a sense that they may be the ones with more to shout about. Of the two sides, in the opening exchanges York definitely looked the more cohesive and they dominated first half possession. An early injury to Ollie Banks in their midfield saw the introduction of Arthur Read off the bench which would prove significant.
After an early goal ruled out for offside (one of those where literally every person in the away end didn’t spot the flag, much to our amusement) and a fine save from Cox to deny a goal on 23 minutes, the breakthrough came on 37. A well taken goal by substitute Read; the quest for a clean sheet continues.
I’ll be honest that this going in prompted me to go and get some food before the half time rush. I’m generally more organised beforehand and have a bit of dinner before heading out but the earlier departure time had prevented this and I found myself hungry. I didn’t go the full works but just thought I’d try the Wing Kingz chipz. Verdict was that they were decent enough but that serving them on a paper plate like a kid’s birthday party is an odd choice. A box like they use at McDonalds would surely be a better on the go eating option?
Anyway, whilst I was considering our culinary set up and paying for my purchase, a roar came from above. Always seems the way but equally, happy to help if I have to be the one to sacrifice seeing it happen for the greater good. The handy delay on the tv screens in the bar meant I could eat my party food and enjoy the replay of Tshimanga continuing his superb goal scoring run to make it 1-1. The celebrations continued when being down in the bar area, it naturally fell on me to purchase the biggest round of the season so far given the numbers present on our row. It all evens itself out over time.
There were mixed feelings at the break. The quick equaliser had changed the complexion of the game considerably. Some shouts for accepting a point, others suggesting it had to be win or bust. It had been interesting to note the tactical change at the start of this one, going 442 like the last match against York. Although his overall impact on the game was a little limited, Maskell’s aerial presence is such an asset. He wins everything.
The second half started with a silly yellow for Kanu kicking the ball at an opponent and one for Maskell, too. This would go on to shorten both of their evenings but thankfully through Brennan making smart substitutions rather than the referee producing cards of another colour.
In the 52nd minute, a huge moment in the game when Hiram Boateng who had been booked near the end of the first half, made the incredibly stupid mistake of doing exactly the same thing Kanu had been booked for just a few minutes earlier. Arguably, the ref had no choice but this particularly card happy individual was not going to miss the opportunity to get them out. He was gone. York down to 10 men with most of the second half to play, a huge opportunity lay before us.
Not much more than an hour played and we’d made 4 subs as we tried to find a way past a stubborn York defence. The game definitely began to tip in our favour but the stop start nature of a whistle and card happy official didn’t allow for the game to really flow. It has to be said also that at this stage of the game, the atmosphere wasn’t great. There is still a core who stand up at the back of Block E/F but their numbers appeared a little thin last night and the noise was very muted. It seems like a strange time for this to be the case, when things are going so well on the pitch.
There was a lot of huffing and puffing but it wasn’t all that convincing. This is where I’d like to take at least an assist for another crucial goal. I leaned over to the person one beyond me to my left and proclaimed: “I can’t see us scoring again tonight.”
A maximum of thirty seconds later and Jake Reeves has smashed a most beautiful half volley from the edge of the box to put us 2-1 up. Sheer delight. It never felt so good to know absolutely nothing about our team!
Shortly after this came the confusing and possibly concerning sight of the unsubbable Tshimanga being replaced by Ajayi. We are so incredibly reliant on him and the prospect of him not being available for any game is a huge worry. Hopefully precautionary and he’s back for Crewe.
Ajayi may have felt a little hard done by in having to wait so long to get on the pitch, but once he did arrive, his impact was pretty instant. Just four minutes after coming on, a mazy run into the box saw him get a shot away but a huge deflection sent it looping high into the air. A goal from this seemed impossible yet somehow it looped down, the goalkeeper made an absolute mess of it and pretty much chucked it into his own net. Game won, jubilant scenes. Ajayi booked in the ensuing celebrations for removing his shirt; I’d see such a big reaction from a loan player as a positive.
A massive moment to wrap up the game. I don’t feel any particularly animosity towards York City or their fans, but it was amusing singing “it’s happened again,” to them as they made for the exits early. The scoreline repeating itself from a previously memorable Tuesday evening fixture the cherry on top of a successful evening.
After a little bit of a wobbly week against Swindon then Oldham things are now looking much rosier again. It’s all well and good having games in hand but you have to win them, and thus far, we have now achieved that. A 4 point cushion on 3rd and below with a game in hand still there. Salford are looking like there’s every chance all their spending might finally pay off this year, but for now we remain in touch with them also.
I’m disappointed I can’t make Crewe. It’s one of those places I vowed never to venture to again after seeing us lose 7-0 there in 2010 but we all know that phrase means nothing. Family commitments will mean cheering from afar. If you can be there - go. It’s a hugely enticing looking fixture. Can you imagine the excitement if we go and win that one?
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