York Community Stadium Saturday, July 15th, 2023 k/o 13:00   1st Team Friendly Attendance: 4,958         York City 0-0 Middlesbrough   Penalties:
2023 /24

Comments :

Absolutely hammering down with rain when I arrived at York station so jumped the No9 bus rather than facing the 3 miles walk. Good call !! The stadium is strange being set into (integrated with, building wise) an out of town shopping centre. Yes it is neat, yes it is modern and function, but it is totally lacking in any sort of character and absolutely and utterly soulless. And inside the ground the concourses are simplistic concrete tunnels once again lacking in anything approaching interest or warmth. The game itself was enjoyable with York clearly the more advanced in terms of pre-season preparation and mostly on top. Midway through the first half the glimpse of blue sky was quickly blocked out by a thick black and very low cloud. Seconds later the heavens opened with torrential rain, a swirling cold wind and thunder and lightning - the last of these leading to the players being rushed off the filed. Less than 10 minutes later it was clear again and the game resumed. Second half saw Middlesborough a lot perkier (must have had a proper rocket at half time) but the usual pre-season mass substitutions had the game deteriorate into kick and rush. I left a few minutes before the end to get back to York ahead of the crowds and a slightly earlier train home.