By Our Man at the LNER Community Stadium
YORK City delivered a monumental statement to the National League last night, dismantling high-flying promotion rivals Rochdale 4-1 in a scintillating display at the LNER Community Stadium.
The Minstermen’s spectacular win, powered by braces from strike duo Ollie Pearce and Josh Stones, showcased not just a ruthless attack, but the electrifying atmosphere that makes their home a fortress.
In a match billed as the league’s best attack (York) against the best defence (Rochdale), it was City who turned up the heat, turning what started as a drizzle at the LNER Community Stadium into a downpour of goals for the home side.
The gleaming modern bowl of the LNER Community Stadium, a symbol of York’s ambition, was shaking as the second half exploded into life.
After a cagey 1-1 half-time scoreline—with Pearce’s opener being instantly cancelled out by Rochdale’s Tobi Adebayo-Rowling—City turned on the style.
Just seconds after the restart, young hitman Josh Stones pounced, driving into the box to fire home for 2-1.
A mere three minutes later, Stones had his second, tucking the ball neatly into the net to make it 3-1 and send the home fans in the LNER Community Stadium into raptures.
The noise was defeating,
Pearce, not to be outdone, completed his own double shortly before the hour mark, sweeping home to make it a shocking 4-1.
The result snaps Rochdale’s long unbeaten run and sends York City soaring up the table, a clear indication that Stuart Maynard’s men mean serious business.
The LNER Community Stadium’s modern stands and top-class facilities provide the perfect backdrop for this kind of high-octane football, and it’s fast becoming a place visiting teams fear. On this showing, York City have a stadium fit for a climb up the English football ladder.
