York City book passage to Wembley after seeing off Telford
Photo: duvallrobbie2 (flikr)
YORK CITY 2 vs. AFC TELFORD UNITED 1 (4-1 on aggregate)
FA Trophy Semi-Final, Second Leg, Saturday 21st March 2009
Amid scenes of joyous celebration at KitKat Crescent, York City killed off the challenge of AFC Telford United to progress into the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium on May 9th. Second leg goals from Richard Brodie and Daniel McBreen were more than enough to overcome the Conference North opponents, who had faced an uphill struggle having lost the first leg 2-0 at New Bucks Head a week earlier. The 4-1 aggregate victory means the Minstermen visit Wembley for only the second time in their 87-year history, the other occasion being the 1993 Division Three play-off final against Crewe Alexandra.
In glorious sunshine, there was a festival atmosphere on Saturday afternoon, as a season’s best attendance of 3,512, among them Archbishop of York Dr. John Sentamu, cheered York into the showpiece final. With the hard labour completed in the first leg in Shropshire, Brodie’s early strike alleviated any remaining nerves and the home supporters could find their full voice. Manager Martin Foyle has continued a trend started by his predecessor Colin Walker in transforming City into a feared opponent in cup competition but, unlike Walker, who failed at the last four stage twice, Foyle has successfully led the club to Wembley.
Given their abysmal form in the Blue Square Premier, from which this glory should not detract, York performed excellently in tough Trophy ties with Oxford United and Kidderminster Harriers during the early rounds, although they undoubtedly benefited from favourable draws against Havant and Waterlooville and Telford in the crunch stages. They will face Stevenage Borough, Trophy winners in 2007, after the Hertfordshire outfit beat Ebbsfleet United 4-2 on aggregate.
Brodie opened the scoring just after the quarter-final, settling the tie in the process. Ben Purkiss was dispatched down the right-wing before seeking out Brodie, 20 yards from goal, with a measured pass. The striker took aim with an accurate left-footed shot, which beat Ryan Young in goal and crashed home off the inside post. Coming at a crucial moment, this goal, and the 3-0 aggregate advantage it created, silenced the 689 travelling army and gave York the green light for Wembley.
On 62 minutes, Brodie, terrier-like and tenacious, provoked defensive uncertainty and McBreen, conveniently placed inside the penalty area, slotted home past the out-of-position Young from about ten yards, cue delirium in the home stands. Even York couldn’t surrender this lead, and by the time Andy Brown replied for Telford four minutes from time, the champagne was already being uncorked in the Director’s box.
Although York can rightfully look forward to their big day out, with thousands expected to make the journey to London, there is still much work to be done in order to preserve the team’s Conference status, starting with Tuesday’s home fixture with Kettering Town.
York City: Michael Ingham, Ben Purkiss (David McGurk), Shaun Pejic, Danny Parslow, Mark Robinson, Levi Mackin (Mark Greaves), Andy McWilliams, Simon Rusk, Richard Brodie, Adam Boyes (Onome Sodje), Daniel McBreen
AFC Telford United: Ryan Young, Lee Vaughan (Jimmy Turner), Gavin Cowan, Stuart Whitehead, James Meredith, Jon Adams, Carl Rodgers, Liam Blakeman (Steve Jagielka), Lee Moore (Simon Forsdick), Andy Brown, Danny Carey-Bertram
Referee: Rob Shoebridge
Attendance: 3,512 (689 away)
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