Forest Green 1-1 York City Griffin 73 (p)   Bishop 35 Saturday 12 February 2005, Nationwide Conference Attendance: 870

New manager Billy McEwan will be disappointed by his teams inability to capitalise on a good performance at struggling Forest Green. City lead their hosts for most of the match but a soft penalty late on denied McEwan his first win in charge of the Minstermen.

City started brightly on a muddy inadequate pitch that slowed the game down and made passing flowing football almost impossible. Solid at the back and lively upfront City looked to take charge and came out attacking Forest Green with Bishop and PD linking up well early on but without carving out any clear cut chances.

On 35 minutes Dave Merris cut in side from the left and from the centre of the pitch sending a perfect through-ball into the path of Bishop who after delaying his initial shot dispatched a neat finish into the bottom left-hand corner. McEwan’s watched as York controlled the tempo of the game and limited Forest Green to long punts up field.

Credit to City’s dominant play must go to the midfield pairing of Dunning and Webster who both gained a strong foothold in the centre of the park. The little and large combination worked well and grafted to keep the City band wagon rolling on with the support of tricky wingers Kevin Donovan and Merris who both had some joy on their respective wings.

After half time City once again started the game by playing the better football and Dave Merris looked close to scoring his second goal of his season and York’s second goal of the match. An inch-perfect Donovan cross from the right was met by the head of Merris charging in at the back post, but his chance agonizingly flashed wide of the post.

City looked comfortable at the back with Paul Groves commanding the defense and stumping out any aerial threat the home team possessed upfront. On 73 minutes a cross from the right prompted Chris Porter to run out into a mass of bodies and the keeper botched his attempt to punch clear, the ball was sent spinning into the ground and bouncing up onto a bemused Paul Groves’ arm. The referee pointed to the spot and City looked to have blown their chances of a rare away win. Obligingly Charlie Griffin slotted in the spot kick and put Forest Green back on level terms.

Surprisingly Forest Green finished the game with a flurry and looked the team most likely to snatch all three points. However City withheld the home teams pressure and came away with the feeling of two points dropped rather than one point gained.

Player Ratings

Chris PORTER 5.5:
Wasn’t troubled once from any shots during the game but the vital cross that he needed to claim ended up with a penalty giving Forest Green the opportunity to get into the game.

Graeme LAW 7:
Solid at right back, didn’t give the Forest winger any room and supported Donovan well down the flank.

Paul GROVES 8.5 MoTM:
Brilliant game from the much maligned veteran. Was a commanding presence in the air and looked to play through the midfield when the ball was at his feet. Didn’t get caught out for pace at the back and was a vocal presence which coincided with City’s strong back line. Was City’s man of the match for the sheer amount of high balls he got his head onto.

Jon MALONEY 7.5:
Supported Groves well and had an all round solid game, made several well timed tackles late on.

Sean DAVIES 7:
Strong along with the rest of the defense, was solid and looks to be growing in confidence, a big difference from the edgy player of a couple of months ago.

Kevin DONOVAN 7.5:
Showed glimpses of true quality, with classy flicks and moments of sublime dribbling skill. Linked up well with PD upfront and was always available for Law to send a short pass to. His crossing was good, as always, and he nearly set up Merris with a sweeping ball to the far post.

Byron WEBSTER 8:
A much improved performance in the centre, controlled the game and work hard to put himself about. Made key tackles and although distribution needs working on he was a great defensive shield for the guys behind him.

Darren DUNNING 7.5:
Like Webster Dunning spread the play well and contained opposition players in the middle of the pitch. Battled hard in tough conditions and can not be faulted for his work rate.

David MERRIS 7.5:
A lively game from Mezza, should have bagged at least one goal from his change just after half time but he helped out his inexperienced left back and when needed found space down the left to probe the Forest Green full back.

Andy BISHOP 8:
A brilliant finish for his goal making it 5 goals in 5 matches which leaves him in good form to reclaim his starting place for the England National XI Game. Rarely wasted possession and was full of running linking up well with PD considering it is their first game together for a long time.

Paul D ROBINSON 7 (Sub'ed 72mins):
Worked hard and ran the flanks when Law looked to send it down the line. More time partnering Bishop will only be good for the former Newcastle man.

Subs:

Levent YALCIN 6 (On 72mins):
More time than usual but still too short to make any meaningful contribution to the game.

Report by David Barton

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