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League Two Playoffs | Semi-Finals
May 16, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 

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Live Commentary: Fleetwood Town vs. York City - as it happened

:Headline: Live Commentary: Fleetwood Town vs. York City - as it happened: ID:155411: from db_amp
Sports Mole brings you coverage as Fleetwood Town hold York City in the second leg of their League Two playoff encounter to progress to the finals.

Fleetwood Town went into their League Two second-leg, semi-final encounter with York City holding a slender 1-0 advantage from the first tie.

However, the visitors on Friday night turned in a determined display from the off, with York dominating the first half, as Jamie Reed and Michael Coulson were denied by Chris Maxwell in the Fleetwood goal.

Nigel Worthington's men continued to push for a goal in a strong second-half display, but a standout defensive effort from Jason Roberts and his teammates ensured that Town progressed to the final following a goalless stalemate.

You can find out how all of the action developed at Highbury by reading our minute-by-minute updates below.

Good evening everyone and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage as Fleetwood Town host York City in the second leg of their playoff semi-final tie at Highbury. Nigel Worthington's side have it all to do this evening, as they trail a first-leg goal from Town's Matty Blair. The winner of tonight's contest will meet either Southend or Burton in the final.
This tie has been a bit all over the place since both sides originally sought to square up, with their original opening fixture being postponed due to poor conditions created by tumultuous downpours. However, once it did get underway a few days later, Town delivered a hammer blow to York's hopes of promotion by ending their 17-match unbeaten run to take a 1-0 lead into the second leg.
It was former York man Matty Blair who grabbed the potentially crucial goal in the first leg at Bootham Crescent, with City's Michael Coulson and Ryan Bowman both spurning chances to get their side back into the contest.
Not only do Fleetwood hold a goal advantage, but their home fixture could also see the return of instrumental defender Alan Goodall following a three-match suspension.
It looks as though York will have the opportunity to choose from an unchanged squad, however Ryan Bowman and Lewis Montrose may both be pushing for recalls to the starting XI having missed out on beginning the game in the first leg.
We're hearing that Town have named an unchanged starting XI, though some alterations have been made to the hosts' bench.
While we wait on some official news regarding the teams, let's look at the head-to-head statistics for the two sides. York won the last meeting 2-1 at Highbury Stadium in February this year - which stacks up as their only win in their last seven meetings against the Cods.
However, an onerous stat for York today shows that Fleetwood are actually unbeaten in their last seven home games, winning three and drawing four.
Worthington's men won't be too disheartened, however, given that they haven't lost a match in their last eight away games, having won six and drawn two.
Fleetwood Town starting XI: Maxwell; McLaughlin, Taylor, Schumacher, Roberts, Pond, Blair, Sarcevic, Hume, Ball, Morris
Fleetwood Town substitutes: Murdoch, Evans, Parkin, Goodall, Cresswell, Jordan, Lucas
York City starting XI: Pope; Oyebanjo, Davies, Penn, McCombe, Lowe, Coulson, Reed, Andrew, Bowman, Hayhurst
York City substitutes: McGurk, Jarvis, Montrose, Platt, Allan, Ingham, Puri
Well, as we said, Fleetwood name an unchanged starting XI from the one that rose victorious from the first leg. However, changes come on the bench as David Lucas, Alan Goodall and Ryan Cresswell come into the fray.
As for York, there's no room for Ryan Brobbel in the starting XI or on the bench. Elsewhere, Sander Puri comes in strengthen the substitutes bench.
History shows that York's task tonight is a massive one, with the club aiming to become only the fourth side in 28 years to reach the League Two playoff final having lost their semi-final first leg at home.
Since the playoff process was introduced in 1987, it took until 2003 for a side in the Football League's lowest tier to overturn a losing position from a home semi-final, first-leg encounter.
If anyone knows how to grind out a positive result, it's York. Prior to their recent loss at Bootham Crescent, the Minstermen had won 11 and drawn six in a 17-game unbeaten run.
Tonight's fixture really is a close one. Both sides have stats that weigh in their own favour, however Fleetwood will be buoyed by the fact they have lost only once in their last nine games, having been defeated by League Two champions Chesterfield on the final day of the season.
It's a glorious evening at Highbury Stadium tonight:


Not long to go until kickoff now. I guess it's time for me to give a prediction. As much as I admire York's recent run, I can't see Fleetwood giving up their advantage tonight - especially given their recent record of so few losses. I fancy them to see this one through tonight, however I do think York might grab a goal. I'm going to say 2-1 for an overal aggregate win of 3-1 to the hosts.
York need at least two goals tonight. I think they might try to see themselves through to half time and then give it full whack in the second period. They'll have to be careful, though, as Fleetwood will be looking to make use of the counter attack.
The players are in the tunnel now as we await kickoff. Remember that the away goals rule will not be in action this evening.
KICKOFF! So Wembley depends on this... Fleetwood get us underway kicking from left to right in their red and white home strip, with ref Scott Duncan taking charge of proceedings.
A rather bemusing start as York's Bowman is down already having taken a blow to the ribs from the ball. He's back up and moving now, though, as we get back to some live action.
York are looking for Andrew with the long-ball early, however it comes to nothing as the Fleetwood defence push up and the pass sails out for a throw.
Some great play from Maxwell sees the keeper collect a cross before setting Fleetwood loose on the counter. They break down the left but Morris can't make the most of the cut-back as he lashes the ball just wide of the near post. A promising start from the hosts. Smart play.
York have their first chance of the game now as a corner is sent in. It's not cleared properly and drops for Penn. He gets half over the ball but is unable to keep his volley down and the shot flies over the crossbar. Close!
SAVE! Maxwell pulls off a smart stop to deny Reed who looks to make use of Coulson's incisive ball inside the box. The keeper does just about enough to keep the ball out at his near post.
There's not much rhythm yet as both sides look to make the most of an end-to-end start. York have had two decent chances already in seven minutes.
CLOSE! Another great set-piece from the visitors sees a corner pinged in towards the near post, Bowman beats his man to get there first however his flick-on flashes into the side netting with Maxwell standing still in the centre of goal.
York are giving it full guns already. However they ought to be careful as Town look threatening on the counter, especially when Maxwell has the ability to start moves with his throws from the back.
CLOSE! Town might feel they should have a comfy cushion now. York clumsily give the ball away at the back, allowing Morris to break down the left side of the pitch. He crosses for the incoming Hume who sends his shot over the bar from all of 10 yards.
SAVE! Maxwell is called into action again down at the other end. York break away quickly from the centre of the pitch. The ball is fed across the line until it reaches Coulson towards the far post, yet he sends his shot straight down the throat of the Town keeper, who stands his ground to see the ball away.
Some nice, neat work down the right from Fleetwood sees the ball fed into Blair down the flank, he sends in a dangerous cross, but York do well to clear their lines for a corner.
YELLOW CARD! Fleetwood's Conor McLaughlin receives a yellow card for a late foul.
Despite that nice piece of play down the right, Fleetwood are looking to create most of their chances down the middle because of the size of their strikers. It's not really working at the moment as York look to push their defensive line forward.
We're going to have a few minutes of stoppage here as Penn clashes heads with Hume. Penn has been down for a while, but has now returned to his feet following some assistance from the club doctor.
Andrew rises highest this time as York look to make the most of some space on the flanks. The ball is delivered from the left, however the York man is unable to keep his headed effort down and it flies high and wide. Wasteful, really...
Fleetwood really haven't got going this evening. They've tried far too many intricate things in the centre of the park and have been dispossessed during the build-up.
CLOSE! A scramble inside the Fleetwood box sees the ball pinging around following a header from Andrew, though Town manage to scramble it away as things start to look dangerous.
If Fleetwood are to get a goal tonight it looks as though it might come down the left, with Morris looking the most threatening for the hosts. He picks up the ball and charges towards the defence, but his long-range effort is blocked on its way to goal.
The hosts really need to get their foot on the ball a little more. As soon as they win it back they appear to be going straight for goal, everything seems a little rushed which has allowed York to dominate possession.
York's physical dominance is also starting to play a part in this fixture. The visitors are winning most tackles, as well as challenges in the air.
CLOSE! Blair gives away a cheap corner and York almost take advantage. The ball is popping around in the air and Andrew makes his move to try and head home. However, Maxwell is on hand to apply enough pressure to put him off and the hosts clear the danger with the keeper on the deck.
We're going to have four minutes of additional time at Highbury...
CLOSE! York go to sleep and almost concede. A set-piece is whipped in towards the back-post, where Roberts is left free to roam, however the defender can't connect with enough conviction to divert the ball towards goal.
HALF TIME: Fleetwood Town 0-0 York City (Fleetwood lead 1-0 on aggregate)
Well, Fleetwood began to grow back into things in the latter part of the first half, though York have been the dominant side. Had they been a little more clinical they could be back on level-terms or pushing ahead in the tie.
Maxwell has pulled off two good stops to deny both Reed and Coulson in the first half. The away side have looked the more likely to score out of the two teams and will be a tad disappointed not to have clawed a goal back.
Some strange stats really as Fleetwood appear to be shading the possession with 53 per cent. However, York have had the ball in more threatening areas than their opponents.
York need to keep up the pressure on Fleetwood, though the hosts do appear to be finding their feet a little more. The next goal will be crucial.
We've just got back underway at Highbury, with York starting the ball rolling again. Who will take the first spot in the playoff final?
Some simple long ball tactics aren't enough to threaten Fleetwood as Roberts shuffles across to hoof the ball away and clear the hosts' defensive line.
York are dominant in the opening stages of the second half. Firstly they have a cross scrambled away, before Coulson sees an attempted shot blocked on its way towards Maxwell's net.
The start of this half has been much like the start of the first. The visitors are forcing Town back towards their goal and look particularly threatening from the flanks.
You just feel that the longer Town remain quiet, the harder the backlash is going to be if York don't make their dominance count. They need a goal to take this to extra time, but that won't be enough if Fleetwood manage to grab one for themselves.
The visitors are continuing to bombard the Fleetwood back-line, though nothing is of enough quality to trouble Roberts and his teammates. It's all well and good having the ball, but they need to do some threatening with it.
For the first time Town have a little bit of space on the ball with Sarcevic doing well to beat his man and find Morris on the edge of the box. Disappointingly, the winger rushes his shot and drags the ball wide of the target.
SUBSTITUTE: Fleetwood decide to make a change as Iain Hume is replaced by Jon Parkin.
YELLOW CARD! York's Will Hayhurst is shown a yellow card for a late sliding challenge.
CLOSE! Fleetwood show what they're capable of as Blair breaks down the right, he beats the full-back and finds himself in the box. He sends a ball across the face of goal but nobody gambles and the chance is wasted.
Pond and Roberts have been sensational at the back for Fleetwood. If they do progress tonight, the centre-back pairing will have played a big part in the result.
SAVE! Wow. Pope might have just kept York's hopes alive. The keeper pulls off a world-class save to tip Sarcevic's shot round the post. It's poor defending really as the Town midfielder is given far too much room to weave his way into the box. It's keeper to the rescue, though!
SUBSTITUTION: Town look to tighten things up as Steven Schumacher is replaced by Alan Goodall.
We've had very little in the way of clear-cut chances in the second period. Sarcevic's effort has been the only one of real importance, with Pope pulling off a marvelous save to keep his side in the game. Will it be in vain? Or can York muster something in the final 10 minutes?
CLOSE! Just as it appears that York might be shying away from the task in hand, Andrew lets fly with a rocket of a shot which only just evades the underside of the crossbar as it flies over with Maxwell looking worried.
Things are getting a little desperate now for York. They're unable to muster anything up top and almost give away a goal at the back, however Ball can't make the most of a defensive slip-up and the ball is cleared away.
The visitors are still getting plenty of room on the flanks, but they're lacking quality on the final ball... Hayhurst proves a perfect example of this as he sends a cross straight out for a goal-kick.
CLOSE! Taylor nearly kills the game off with a long-range effort, which flies straight across the face of goal narrowly missing the far corner. That would have been game, set and match.
Some fine goalkeeping from Maxwell sees the Fleetwood man rise highest to claim a cross amid a melee of players in the box. He's been brilliant tonight, as have the defenders in front of him.
Five minutes of added time! Can York do it?
It's hectic here as York do their best to scramble the ball forward, however Maxwell takes control again to come and claim a cross with a matter of minutes remaining.
SAVE! Town should be home and dry as they break away on the counter attack. Morris is played through one-on-one with Pope, but the keeper stands firm to deny the Fleetwood winger.
FULL TIME: Fleetwood Town 0-0 York City (Fleetwood win 1-0 on aggregate and progress to the League Two playoff final)
So Town progress in the end after an enthralling game at Highbury. York probably deserved to get something from this game, however they were unable to take their chances when required. Fleetwood have put in a superb defensive display tonight to hold out in the face of a rather disappointing display from their attacking players. The Cods go to Wembley, then!

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