At Mill Farm, York City secured a 3-1 victory over AFC Fylde in a match that ignited after a subdued first half. The result consolidates York City’s play-off semi-final position, while AFC Fylde’s struggles continue.
The first half was marked by early aggression. AFC Fylde’s Charlie Jolley received a yellow card in the sixth minute for a foul, setting a tense tone. York City manager Adam Hinshelwood was then cautioned for dissent ten minutes later. In the 39th minute, AFC Fylde made a tactical substitution, replacing Jolley with Jonathan Ustabasi.
The second half began explosively. Two minutes after the restart, Ollie Pearce converted a penalty, giving York City the lead. Gavin Massey then received a yellow card for AFC Fylde. In the 60th minute, AFC Fylde manager Kevin Phillips made a double substitution, introducing Owen Evans and Ashley Boatswain. Hinshelwood responded in the 68th minute with Lewis Richardson and Josh Stones coming on.
York City’s substitutions quickly proved effective. In the 74th minute, Joe Felix doubled their advantage, assisted by Lewis Richardson. Four minutes later, Malachi Fagan-Walcott extended York’s lead, with Alex Hunt providing the assist. AFC Fylde responded almost immediately; Nick Haughton pulled a goal back, assisted by Lincoln McFayden.
Both managers continued to adjust their lineups. In the 70th minute, AFC Fylde introduced Bryce Hosannah and Danny Ormerod. A minute later, York City brought on Adam Crookes. As the match neared its conclusion, York City’s Marvin Armstrong received a yellow card in the 84th minute. York City then made a double substitution in the 87th minute, with Billy Chadwick and Ricky Aguiar replacing players to close out the game.
The victory leaves York City in second place with 83 points from 41 games, securing their play-off semi-final spot. AFC Fylde, in 22nd place with 39 points from 41 games, face an uphill battle to avoid relegation, with this result extending their losing streak and highlighting their recent struggles in front of goal, having failed to score in their previous two matches.