York City 1-0 Torquay United: Hurst punishes Gulls with solo goal

The Minstermen needed just a single goal to return to winning ways in a close encounter with Torquay. York City claimed a much-needed three points, to get them back to winning ways, thanks to Alex Hurst's second half breakaway goal.

The Minstermen needed just a single goal to return to winning ways in a close encounter with Torquay.

York City claimed a much-needed three points, to get them back to winning ways, thanks to Alex Hurst's second half breakaway goal.

A struggling Torquay side saw their winless run extended to six games, which keeps them at the foot of the table.

Chances for both sides cooked up a tasty affair, but in the end, the more prolific team took all the points.

A disappointing defeat at Yorkshire rivals saw Fraser Kerr fall victim to injury, and consequently, he dropped out of the side in York's only change to the starting eleven, with Gus Mafuta the suitable replacement.

New signing Nathan Thomas made the bench, his first inclusion in a squad since May 2021.

Within the hour before kickoff, Torquay confirmed two surprise signings, as Chinwike Okoli secured an instant place in the team to face the North Yorkshire outfit, whilst Dillon De Silva settled for the bench.

City started on the front foot, as an early chance saw in-form striker Lenell John-Lewis glance Maziar Kouhyar's pinpoint cross just wide of goal.

The opening stages saw the game mainly being played in and around the Torquay penalty area, and five minutes later, John-Lewis connected with another Kouhyar delivery, but he couldn't keep it down, with the header flying just over the crossbar.

The Gulls were evidently struggling to cope with Kouhyar, who nearly wrong-footed Mark Halstead, as his deflected drive looped over the 'keeper, forcing him to punch over the crossbar after a third of the first half.

United did enjoy a brief spell of play in the York half, but it was soon back to business for The Minstermen, who's good attacking play required multiple blocks from the visitors to keep the match in the balance.

Head tennis in the City area saw them fail to get the ball out of the box, in what was a rare moment of panic for the hosts, before an eventual clearance fell to Tom Lapslie at the edge of the box, his hopeful volley falling into the stand behind the goal.

Minutes later, new signing De Silva made an appearance and was straight into the action, seeing his shot roll wide of the target after a promising run into the box, then down the other end, Olly Dyson came close with a volley, which, likewise the Gulls chance, flew just over.

Edging closer to the interval, Lapslie was at the centre of another opportunity for Torquay, and almost sparked an upset, as his effort from inside the area was drilled just past the far post.

The last action of the first half was the closest that either team came, as the ball fell to York's Dyson, but his goalbound shot was well saved by a diving Halstead.

With the second half underway, matchday recruit Okoli recorded the first real chance of the half, a low driven effort easily saved by Ethan Ross.

Approaching 65 minutes, Ross made arguably one of the saves of the season - some good link-up play between Lapslie and Aaron Jarvis saw Jarvis go clean through on goal, only to be denied by the face of the York 'keeper, who literally 'put everything on the line', sliding in to block.

Then minutes later, in-form City winger Alex Hurst took advantage of a loose ball in the Gulls defence, and on the break-away, fired a low shot past Halstead's reach, brilliantly giving The Minstermen the lead from 20 yards out.

Virtually seconds after getting back underway, Kouhyar thought he had bundled home his second of the season, but the linesman's flag cut any celebrations short.

Torquay attempted to try and restore any chance of getting back into the game, as Ross was forced to parry away a Will Goodwin curler, which was subsequently recycled back round to another yellow shirt, but he could only fire over the crossbar.

Then it was back down the other end for York to try and secure their win, Dan Pybus' first time drive from outside the 'D' coming close, but so narrowly wide.

Managing to see out the result, York confirmed a sixth win of the season, as they bounced back to winning ways effectively, one goal proven enough against The Gulls.

York City: Ross, Fallowfield, Kouogun, Sanders, Whittle, Dyson, Pybus, Mafuta (Hancox 80’), Kouhyar, John-Lewis, Hurst

Subs not used: Whitley, Greaves, Thomas, James

Goals: Hurst (71’)

Yellow Cards: Kouogun

Yellow Cards: De Silva, Smith

Attendance: 4,339 (231 visiting supporters)

Referee: Michael Barlow

Man of the Match: Alex Hurst

Torquay United: Halstead, Hanson (Donnellan 46’), Okoli, Omar, Moxey (Hall 85’), Martin, (De Silva 19’), Lapslie, McGavin, Smith, Jarvis, Goodwin

Subs not used: Hall, Lovett, Tomlinson

Goals: N/A