Tamworth 1-0 York City Taylor 31     Saturday 19 March 2005, Nationwide Conference Attendance: 1,136

A very poor performance from York City led to another disappointing day for the 250 or so travelling fans. City's dire display can be best summed up by the fact that they managed barely two efforts at goal all game, with a Merris cross-shot flying high and wide of Tamworth keeper Price's goal and the same player firing wide close to the end.

Tamworth were perhaps the most one dimensional team City have faced this season, with their left back Sterling bombarding City with long throw ins. The delivery was generally dealt with very well by City, especially by returning centre back Davis, but at the other end, City seemed to fail to realise that the best way to break down a giant Tamworth defence marshalled by the impressive (and also well built, a point that City fans did not fail to notice) former Scarborough defender Redmile.

The first half was very poor to watch, with both teams struggling for passing on a poor pitch. The first real chance of the game was the winning goal - with a low cross from the right being forced home by veteran striker Taylor. The dangerous Whitman was a problem to City throughout the game, and he nearly extended Tamworth's lead a few minutes afterwards but was denied by porter.

At half time, the woeful Webster was replaced by Yalcin, and Groves replaced Smith who had been his usual ineffective self throughout the half.

The second half became increasingly frustrating for Minstermen fans, as City played to Tamworth's strength of winning the ball in the air, despite shouts of "get it on the ground" from the fans. Tamworth could have extended their lead on several occasions, with Whitman going clean through on goal only to be denied by a brave dive from the City keeper, and the same player was denied with a powerful long range drive.

City created nothing, despite the introduction of the younger Robbo, apart from a Merris effort going high and wide and the same player putting a half chance from a cross wide.

The final whistle was greeted with boos from the City support, most of whom will have felt that they wasted their money travelling for what was one of the poorest, if not the poorest, performances of the season.

Player Ratings

Chris PORTER 6.5:
Saved well from Whitman near the end to keep the scoreling respectable. Otherwise fairly solid

Graeme LAW 5:
Distribution poor again. Defensively struggled with Whitman's pace at times.

Steve DAVIS 7 MotM:
Man of the Match - An impressive return to the side for the veteran defender. Won out against most of Tamworth's aerial threat.

Jon MALONEY 6:
The usual tidy, unespectacular but solid performance from the loanee.

Shaun SMITH 5 (Sub'ed 45mins):
Again, caught for pace way too often, and not a coincidence Tamworth's goal was from a cross down his wing. Often doesn't follow the opposition winger wide enough, giving them too long to play in a good cross.

Byron WEBSTER 4 (Sub'ed 45mins):
Awful performance from the youngster, it looks like he needs a break from first team football judging by his recent displays which have not been as impressive as they were when he was first introduced.

Kevin DONOVAN 4:
He may be awesome most of the time, and captain today, but Donovan had no impact on the game which is a disappointment for such a good player. Not helped by the defences distribution, yet provided none of his trademark runs which symbolise his game.

Darren DUNNING 4:
A very poor performance. Not a patch on the player of last season, with some negative distribution and lack of support for the frontmen.

David MERRIS 6:
The one midfielder who was prepared to get forward to support the attack. Provided City's two only chances.

Paul D ROBINSON 5 (Sub'ed 69mins):
Lack of service and ball to feet, however on the occasions he did receive the ball he seemed to lack effort and ideas.

Ben JACKSON 5:
Doesn't seem to have the physical presence needed at this level. Anonymous.

Substitutes:

Paul GROVES 5.5 (On 45mins):
Replaced the ineffective Smith at half time, and played in a defensive midfield role, just in front of the back four. Didn't give the ball away much, but on the other hand didn't get involved enough.

Levent YALCIN 4 (On 45mins):
Provided nothing after being sent on to provide some creativity in midfield.

Paul ROBINSON 6 (On 69mins):
Brighter and sharper than his namesake, creating a half chance for Merris.

The Referee

W McINTOSH 6 (Lincolnshire):
Missed a couple of poor challenges from Tamworth players, whislt in turn awarding questionable free kicks to the home side.

Overall Verdict

City need to start realising the way to play physical long ball sides is through pass and move football from kick off, rather than aimless long ball hoofs to strikers who were considerably shorter than the opposition's centre backs. Certain players really need to start pulling their weight, with a revamp of City's squad looking more and more likely in the summer after yet another awful display. With games to come against Accrington, Hereford, and Carlisle, City need to collect at least a couple of wins to ensure Conference football at the KKC next season.

Report by David Venables

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