With new loan signing James Gale partnering David Bremang up front the Guiseley line-up had an unfamiliar look at York’s new home, the impressive LNER Stadium, but the visitors hit the buffers after just seven minutes when Prince Ekpolo was shown a straight red for a tackle on Lenell John-Lewis.
Despite the setback, the Lions reorganised and looked to hit the home team on the counter and the tactic nearly worked on eleven minutes when Bremang’s through ball to Gale just had too much on it and was collected by Jameson.
John-Lewis (thought they’d closed in York?) then brought a diving save from Owen Mason and Ollie Brown did well to stop Jack McKay getting in a cross from the byeline.
At the other end Guiseley won a free kick but Tears cross left much to be desired and the chance was wasted.
City’s new striker John-Lewis was taking up some good positions but put two headers well wide of the target as his side York struggled to breach the Lions defence.
However, all of that good work was undone two minutes before the break when York were awarded a dubious free kick which was partially cleared to McKay on the edge of the box and although his shot looked to be heading wide John-Lewis intervened to bring another terrific stop from Mason only for Paddy McLaughlin to fire the loose ball into the net.
The visitors started the second half on the front foot and forced three successive corners none of which came to anything.
Olly Dyson went close for the Minstermen and they put the game to bed on the hour when, in attempting to play the out of defence, the ball was given to McKay who set up Mitch Hancox to net with a low shot beyond Mason into the bottom corner. The same player then found himself in a similar position two minutes later and he put the result beyond any doubt with City’s third.
Former Bradford City striker hit the side netting for the home side when he should have scored but apart from that the game petered out with City happy to maintain their lead and with Guiseley offering very little despite three substitutions.
Attendance: 3621 including 152 travelling fans
Team: 1. Owen Mason, 2. George Cantrill, 3. Jason Sraha, 4. Prince Ekpolo, 14. Andy Hollins (68′ Bencherif), 6. Lebrun Mbeka, 7. Ollie Brown, 8. Dom Tear, 9. David Bremang (72′ Hutchinson), 10. James Gale (85′ Haw) and 11. Thierry Latty-Fairweather.
Subs: 12. Lewis Hey, 5. Hamza Bencherif, 15. Adam Haw, 16. Brad Nicholson and 17. Regan Hutchinson.
