York City collapsed in shocking fashion during the second-half as Coventry City took advantage of calamitous defending to earn an unlikely 4-0 victory at Bootham Crescent in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
The Minstermen were once again impressive in the first-half but failed to take advantage of the opportunities they created. However, the second period was a completely different story as dreadful defensive mistakes from substitute Clarke Carlisle and returning midfielder Scott Kerr allowed in David McGoldrick and Callum Ball. McGoldrick soon added his second of the evening and substitute Chris Hussey later added to it.
Manager Gary Mills made three changes from the weekend with key enforcer Kerr earning his first start after seven months on the sidelines with a cruciate knee injury. New loan signing Daniel Kearns and summer recruit Oli Johnson were both handed full debuts as their side attacked towards an away end populated by a decent-sized Coventry contingent.
And attack they certainly did as the opening half proved really lively from both sides. Facing his local club, York midfielder Matty Blair twice went close early on, with first an angled effort blocked by goalkeeper Joe Murphy, and then a cheeky backheel deflecting through to the Republic of Ireland international keeper following a good run from the lively Johnson.
Carl Baker drove across goal at the opposite end and also saw another attempt parried by Michael Ingham, who then showed excellent reflexes to keep out a Richard Wood header. Blair blazed over from the edge of the box in reply and Baker challenged well to thwart Johnson before Jason Walker shot wide of the far post.
Coventry next tried a couple of hopeful efforts from distance and John Fleck then struck another inches wide before they lost defender Wood with a cheekbone injury following an extended spell off the pitch receiving treatment.
However, York were continuing to open up their opponents at regular intervals and newcomer Kearns’ corner was headed back at the far post by Chris Smith for Fyfield to only be denied by a late block.
The Minstermen were playing towards the favoured home end in the second-half, although it was their opponents twice wide through early efforts from McGoldrick and Fleck. Carlisle soon replaced calf-injury victim Chris Doig for the hosts and he was himself then required to receive treatment following a heavy collision.
But a dreadful error from Carlisle just moments later instantly handed possession to McGoldrick and the on loan Nottingham Forest striker claimed his fourth goal in five games with a composed finish past Ingham.
That awful mistake clearly stunned the hosts and their opponents began to enjoy increased levels of possession. Goalscorer McGoldrick missed the target from outside the area and Baker was next over from a long-range free-kick. Baker then became the first player booked following a challenge on Blair midway through the second-half. York in turn replaced the fading Johnson with Daniel Parslow.
Coventry though went further ahead on 72 minutes and it was from another woeful defensive mistake. This time the tiring Kerr was dispossessed by James Bailey and with keeper Ingham once again totally exposed, the waiting Ball comfortably doubled the advantage. The home response witnessed Jamie Reed replacing Kerr in what was now appearing a totally lost cause.
And it was to get even worse when a sharply-taken free-kick from Baker nine minutes later totally caught out the hosts and McGoldrick’s shot across goal was deflected via Fyfield into the net. Chambers was then cautioned to add to what was turning into a really desperate evening.
York almost snatched a late consolation when Carlisle met a Blair cross with a header and Reed attempted to force the loose ball in. But they were still denied and thus remained scoreless for the fourth successive home game. Even worse was to follow as the visitors immediately broke upfield for substitute Hussey to run through and drive in number four with the aid of the inside of an upright.
York City: Ingham, Challinor, C. Smith. Doig (Carlisle 51), Fyfield, Kerr (Reed 74), Kearns, Blair, Chambers, Walker, Johnson (Parslow 67)
subs (unused): Musselwhite, J. Smith
Coventry City: Murphy, Clarke, Cameron, Wood (Christie 30), Reckford, Baker, Moussa (Hussey 75), Bailey, Fleck (Jennings 73), Ball, McGoldrick
subs (unused): Dunn, Elliott
Goals: McGoldrick (58, 81), Ball (72), Hussey (90)
Ref: G. Eltringham
Att: 2,771 (374 Coventry)
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