York City ended their Pre-Season tour of Scotland with an entertaining 0-0 draw against a second string St Johnstone side at McDiarmid Park.
The Minstermen created a whole host of chances from first whistle to last, but were unable to force the ball into the net despite some excellent football in the attacking third. The hosts, who fielded a weakened team due to their exploits less than 48 hours earlier in the Europa League, only managed two attempts on goal late in the game and, apart from some bright sparks, the York defence was rarely tested.
York City Manager Nigel Worthington rotated his squad, making changes to the line up that faced Raith Rovers on Tuesday night. Due to an injury to Michael Ingham, big keeper Jason Mooney was given another full 90 minutes to put under his belt, and the centre back pairing for this game was Dave Winfield and John McCombe, with Keith Lowe on the bench. Up front, Jake Hyde was given a full 90 minute run out and in midfield, Lewis Montrose also played the full game. As well as Michael Ingham, new signing Luke Summerfield was also unavailable due to a knee injury.
It was not long after the match kicked off that City fashioned the first of twenty-one chances in the game, and it was Lindon Meikle, hoping to get his name on the scoresheet for the first time in City colours, whose effort on goal was blocked by Saints defender Tom Scobbie after winger Anthony Straker had provided the opportunity. From the rebound, Lewis Montrose shot high over the crossbar.
City's next chance of note was almost a repeat of the goal that secured a notable 1-0 victory at Portsmouth last season. Femi Ilesanmi took a throw-in on the left-hand touchline to Michael Coulson, who allowed the throw to run past him before volleying towards goal. Sadly, unlike that balmy afternoon on the south coast back in March, the City man's effort went wide of the target.
It was Coulson again who could have scored for City on 21 minutes, but again Scobbie, who was becoming a one-man brick wall in defence, was in the way to prevent a goal with a fantastic tackle.
Another St Johnstone player who was a thorn in City's side was 42 year-old former Blackpool goalkeeper Steve Banks. Chants of "England's Number One" rang out after a magnificent save from Jake Hyde, the veteran stopper diving low to keep out Hyde's drive after a weak header by Ally Gilchrist had opened the door for the City striker.
Jake Hyde, who has looked lively in all three pre-season games so far, was the creator of City's next chance. Some good work by the former Barnet forward allowed Anthony Straker a sight of goal, but his effort went just wide of the post.
As the match approached half-time, Lindon Meikle missed what was arguably one of City's best chances of the match, firing over from close range.
Both sides went back to the dressing rooms for the half-time break and it was The Minstermen who looked the better of the two sides in terms of chances. However, St Johnstone had also played some good stuff and City certainly didn't have things all their own way, despite Jason Mooney being relatively untroubled.
In the second half, Jake Hyde was denied by keeper Banks after a lovely one-two with Meikle and the frustration was growing for the York forwards.
Just after the hour mark, Anthony Straker's free-kick went over the bar and, soon after, substitute Ryan Jarvis couldn't get enough power or accuracy on his shot and fired wide. Lewis Montrose then got in on the act but he couldn't keep his volley down and the scores remained untroubled.
Around the 70 minute mark, the fantastic following of 155 York fans rose to celebrate what they thought was the opening goal. Some more good work from Hyde allowed the City man to wriggle into a shooting position. His shot beat the despairing dive of Steve Banks and looked to be rolling in. But, much to the disappointment of the City fans, the ball struck the post and rebounded awkwardly to substitute Cameron Murray, who couldn't force the ball home. It seemed it wasn't going to be York's day.
St Johnstone now sensed that they could win the game and the home side finally created their first goalscoring opportunity on 72 minutes. Dylan Easton crossed in a corner to the near post where Chris Kane was nicely positioned, but his header was too weak to beat Mooney.
With ten minutes left on the clock, Jake Hyde took a free-kick from a dangerous position but, once again, he almost scored and "almost" was the buzz word of this match for City.
The player described on the teamsheet as "Trialist" for St Johnstone nearly grabbed himself of a bit of personal glory when his deflected shot almost went in. But it was York who finished the stronger, first Keith Lowe's header bounced off the top of the crossbar, then Banks rolled back the years with a great reaction save from his own defender, Alex Kitchen, who sliced a clearance in the direction of his own net.
The final whistle blew and the City staff and players went across to thank the travelling fans who, despite the scoreline, had seen City put on a decent show.
Next up The Minstermen are back at Bootham Crescent for the home friendly against neighbours Hull City. Many thanks to St Johnstone Football Club for their hospitality, and we would like to wish them good luck and best wishes for their season both at home and abroad.
ST JOHNSTONE 0
YORK CITY 0
City: Jason Mooney, Marvin McCoy, Femi Ilesanmi, Dave Winfield (Keith Lowe 46), John McCombe, Lewis Montrose, Russell Penn (Tom Platt 61), Lindon Meikle, Jake Hyde, Michael Coulson (Ryan Jarvis 46), Anthony Straker (Cameron Murray 61).
St Johnstone: Steve Banks, Ally Gilchrist, Alex Kitchen, Gareth Rodger, Tom Scobbie, Trialist, Daryl Easton, Michael O'Halloran (Scott Wilson 61), Danny Galbraith (Connor McLaren 76), Craig Thomson (Kyle Lander 70), Chris Kane.
Referee: Euan Anderson
Attendance: 944 (Away 155)