Things could not have gone any better for promotion-chasing York City this Easter, with two wins in dramatic fashion, which included a 1-0 away win at a tough Boston United and a 2-1 victory at home to Altrincham courtesy of a last-gasp injury time winner.
Having been unlucky not to win the National League last season after a great campaign, only to finish second and get beaten, rather convincingly in the play-offs to Oldham, they have been there or thereabouts this campaign, going toe-to-toe with another Lancashire side; Rochdale.
It is 11 years since York were last in the English Football League, when a four-year spell came to an end, while prior to that, they had spent eight years in the National League after their relegation from League Two in 2004.
This time around, the club’s first relegation was followed by a successive one, taking them down to the Conference North after they finished bottom.
A reversal in fortunes over the last couple of years has seen the club become the subject of a takeover which prompted investment and a move to arguably the best stadium in the division.
York Showing Grit At The Right Time
The club has based itself on playing free-flowing, attacking football over the last two seasons, reflected by their considerable goal difference, though they had to dig deep over the Easter weekend in what were two tough fixtures.
A very scrappy game at Boston United, should have seen the home side awarded a penalty in the first half which ended goalless and lacking in any real spark as both sides huffed and puffed without any real enthusiasm.
It was a different story during the second period as the visitors came out with a point to prove, likely sparked by news of promotion rivals Rochdale being behind. On the front foot from the first minute, the visitors, inspired by string-puller-in-chief Ollie Pearce were gradually making things happen.
Mid-way through the second half, Ben Georgie Brookes turned in a rebound after the host goalkeeper parried which rounded off a fine, free-flowing move as York edged ahead.
Despite the home side rallying, York always looked comfortable at the back, assured by the presence of Harrison Male in goal who never once appeared flustered as Boston showed plenty of endeavour though not the cutting edge that was needed.
As the game drew to a close, away fans waited with bated breath for news of the final whistle at Rochdale, who by this point had pulled one back to make it 2-3 in their game against second-bottom Morecambe.
Then in the eighth minute of injury time, with the York players still celebrating with the fans, waiting for their rivals’ game to end, the away stand erupted as Morecambe scored a fourth with the final whistle being blown just seconds after.
Weekend Comes To A Head In Dramatic Fashion
Just days later, it was a similar story; this time played in balmy April conditions and a somewhat stark comparison, the club, after going behind to Altrincham in the 36th minute after a sloppy mistake, then pulled one back via Ollie Banks two minutes later with a great strike across the goalkeeper.
The Minstermen, roared on by a full stadium peppered the away goal and were easily the dominant side. With the sun glaring down, the LNER Stadium was reaching boiling point as York on several occasions went narrowly close.
Merely seconds after a low drive ricocheted off the crossbar via the goalkeeper, it was ex-Cardiff City towering centre-back Malachi Fagan-Walcott who rose the highest to nod in a dramatic 96th minute winner to scenes of jubilation as they went two points clear of Rochdale who drew, at the top of the table.
We’ll leave you with this for now.
Stick it on repeat and enjoy it! 😅#YCFC 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/P9of5BnKBA
— York City FC (@YorkCityFC) April 6, 2026
On a weekend famous for the Easter bunny, York pulled a couple of rabbits out of the hat as they head into their last three games of the campaign, which includes a trip to Rochdale on the last game of the season, with a spring in their step.