York City stretch winning run to five with 3-1 victory at Gateshead

York came from behind to defeat Gateshead 3-1 on Good Friday, stretching their unbeaten run to five and continuing to build momentum ahead of a potential play-off campaign.

Second-half strikes from Junior Luamba, his first in City colours, and Malachi Fagan-Walcott sealed the three points for the Minstermen, after Ashley Nathaniel-George had cancelled out an early opener.

Gateshead had led after Luke Hannant had rocketed a loose ball past Harrison Male, as City produced a gritty display in the North East in front of a huge travelling from the York supporters.

It’s now five wins in a row for York after Hinshelwood’s side discovered form, with a 2-1 defeat to Braintree Town in late March being the turning point.

Hinshelwood spoke on how he had held honest conversations with his players, especially after Barnet had then stretched their lead at the top of the table to 14 points.

But five wins in a row and Barnet dropping points to both Braintree and Wealdstone has seen the title race’s fire reignite, with three games now left to play for City.

Barnet are still to play their match too, with the Bees hosting Eastleigh at 5.30pm.

York had celebrated an impressive 7-2 win over Aldershot Town last weekend, with Hinshelwood seeing enough to avoid making any changes to his squad.

Both his starting 11 and bench remained the same from that victory, meaning there was no space in the squad for Ricky Aguiar or Jeff King, whilst Ryan Fallowfield and Dipo Akinyemi both remain injured.

Gateshead came into the contest having recently rediscovered their winning feeling, with back-to-back wins seeing the Heed end a run of six straight defeats.

It had threatened their play-off hopes, but those two wins keeps Carl Magnay’s team in fifth place and six clear of Altrincham outside of the play-offs.

They even defeated third-placed Forest Green Rovers last weekend, winning 3-2, following on from a 2-1 victory over struggling Dagenham & Redbridge.

Magnay sprung something of a surprise in his team sheet, by changing his goalkeeper.

Tiernan Brooks took the number one shirt from George Shelvey, whilst Chesterfield loan left-back Brendan Horton replaced Ethan Robson.

Whilst York have been enjoying themselves as of late and have been impressive, City looked a shadow of their recent self in the opening exchanges.

Liam Humbles first tested Male when shifting the ball onto his left foot from a corner routine, before seeing his low effort held.

It would only take 11 minutes before the Heed would take a deserved lead, after an attack down the left wasn’t dealt with.

Horton’s low delivery was cleverly flicked against the post by Jovan Malcolm, seeing the loose ball roll into the area.

Hannant was well-positioned to race onto that ball, and thundered a strike that left Male powerless to keep Gateshead out.

York slowly grew into the match as Nathaniel-George latched onto a poor clearance and stung the gloves of Brooks, but disaster would almost strike from the resulting corner.

After Lewis Richardson went down too softly, Gateshead broke away and had a three-on-one situation.

They played the ball around the retreating City defence, but Tyrelle Newton saw his initial effort palmed away by Male.

It dropped back into Horton, but again from close-range, Male came to York’s rescue with an impressive double save.

Junior Luamba celebrates scoring his first goal for York City. (Image: Tom Poole) The Minstermen would soon reward their goalkeeper for his efforts, after drawing level thanks to Nathaniel-George.

Richardson’s cross was poked goalwards by Pearce, which rattled the post, before Brooks failed to clutch onto the loose ball.

It dropped into Nathaniel-George, who drove the ball into the top corner to make it 1-1 with 37 minutes played.

Hinshelwood will have been hoping it could be the catalyst for his team in the second-half, and at times they did look impressive.

Callum Howe almost met a Hunt cross whilst Felix and Nathaniel-George both had powerful strikes punched away by Brooks.

Hinshelwood looked to his bench and introduced both Josh Stones and Luamba, hoping it would tip the scales in their favour.

And it quickly had an impact, as York took the lead for the first time in the contest.

After Stones laid the ball back to Pearce, the National League’s top scorer broke forward and into a wide position.

He cut the ball back into the area and onto the onrushing Luamba, who coolly slid a strike beyond Brooks.

Gateshead had offered very little in the second-half but will have felt frustrated when City again scored, adding to their scoreline and sealing the three points.

Nathaniel-George’s low cross appeared to catch everyone out, expect Fagan-Walcott, who read the play well and rounded Brooks.

He slammed the ball into the empty net, confirming another three points for York, who keep the pressure on leaders Barnet in the early kick-off.

GATESHEAD: BROOKS, RICHARDSON, HAUNSTRUP (BARTLEY, 86), GRAYSON, HORTON, HANNANT, BOOTY, HUMBLES, AKINOLA (WORMAN, 78), NEWTON (NOUBLE, 86), MALCOLM (SELLARS-FLEMING, 78)

SUBS NOT USED: BOND, COLKETT, JOHNSON

GOALS: HANNANT (11)

YELLOW CARDS: RICHARDSON (16), GRAYSON (37), BOOTY (47)

YORK CITY: MALE 8, SINCLAIR 6 (STONES 6, 60), FAGAN-WALCOTT 8, HOWE 7, JOHN 6 (CROOKES 6, 60), FELIX 7, HUNT 7 (BATTY, 79), ARMSTRONG 6 (JOHN-LEWIS, 87), RICHARDSON 6 (LUAMBA 7, 60), PEARCE 7, NATHANIEL-GEORGE 8

SUBS NOT USED: WATSON,  CHADWICK

GOALS: NATHANIEL-GEORGE (36), LUAMBA (74), FAGAN-WALCOTT (85)

YELLOW CARDS: HUNT (71)

YORK’S STAR MAN: ASHLEY NATHANIEL-GEORGE. A goal and an assist for the winger who impressed out wide.

REFEREE: STUART MORLAND

ATTENDANCE: 3013 (1493)

SHOTS (ON TARGET): 9 (6) | 9 (8)

CORNERS:  6 | 4

OFFSIDES: 1 | 1

FOULS: 9 | 8