In a stunning display of football prowess, York City sailed to a commanding 4-0 victory over Rochdale at Spotland, with Ollie Pearce starring as the hero of the night. The match played on March 25, 2025, demonstrated York's capability to bounce back from their recent lackluster performances, significantly trimming Barnet's lead in the National League.
York City’s manager Adam Hinshelwood made three crucial changes to the starting lineup, inserting Jili Buyabu, Leon Ayinde, and Connor McBride in place of Tarryn Allarakhia, Aidan Barlow, and Ian Henderson. The adjustments paid immediate dividends as York dominated possession and created multiple goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match.
Early in the first half, Rochdale's Kairo Mitchell had a promising chance to score but shot wide in the seventh minute. This miss added to the frustration of the home side as York pressed forward, with their first breakthrough arriving in the 23rd minute. Pearce scored a cheeky backheel goal from a cross by Joe Felix, placing the ball into the bottom corner and electrifying the away supporters.
Following their initial goal, York's momentum swelled. Pearce continued to threaten, prompting a save from Rochdale’s goalkeeper Sam Waller shortly after scoring. The Minstermen were relentless, with Ollie Pearce striking again, this time turning provider by sending Lewis Richardson through on goal after the hour mark. Richardson composedly slotted the ball past Waller, doubling York's lead to 2-0.
York City's efficiency did not end there. Just moments later, Pearce netted his second goal in the 69th minute, once again showcasing his remarkable skill, scoring at the far post to extend the lead to three. While Rochdale aimed to mount a comeback, the Minstermen's relentless attack proved too much to handle.
To compound Rochdale’s woes, Ryan Fallowfield scored the fourth goal in the 75th minute, receiving an assist from Dipo Akinyemi. This goal marked Fallowfield's first of the season and summed up a dominant performance from the visitors, who seemed to thrive on the pressure of the away crowd. As the match concluded, fans praised the players for an impressive outing.
Hinshelwood expressed pride in his players, who overcame a demoralizing 2-1 defeat to Braintree Town just three days earlier. "I want to give massive credit to the players. Our form was a bit stuck as of late, so for them to go out there and perform after the disappointment of Saturday is commendable,” he said, recognizing the team’s effort to bounce back.
The York manager emphasized that their objective moving forward is to maintain such high levels of performance. "We had a meeting after the Braintree match, where I stressed the need for bravery both in and out of possession. Tonight, it was clear that everyone wanted the ball and played with confidence," explained Hinshelwood.
Overall, the match showcased York's superior strategy against a struggling Rochdale side that remains 20 points adrift from a playoff spot. With only seven games remaining in the season, York aims to build on this success. They work hard not only to stay sharp and enhance their position but also to keep the energy flowing into their upcoming matches.
The attendance for the match was recorded at 2,707, with 727 of those being away supporters from York. Their unwavering support continued from the first whistle to the last, driving the Minstermen to a glorious victory.
Looking ahead, York City will return home to the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday for a much-anticipated clash against Wealdstone. With the morale high following this remarkable victory, fans are hopeful for a continuation of this momentum as York pushes towards securing their play-off position. The date for the potential play-off semi-final now looms large, just 56 days away, and with performances like this, York may very well be primed for success.
