Match programme: York City v Arsenal (26 January 1985)

About this match programme

By Richard Snowball

York City started the 1984-85 Division Three season in style, topping the table after the first eight matches, but by early January they had dropped into mid- table.

In the F.A. Cup, they had progressed to the 4th round without conceding a goal with victories over Blue Star (2-0), Hartlepool (2-0) and Walsall (3-0).

This set up a plum draw with the mighty Arsenal to be played on January 26, 1985.

The weather had not been kind and the ground staff, helped by York fans, cleared the pitch of snow in the morning leaving an icy surface and the referee declared it fit for play.

The York players seemed to adapt to the conditions better than Arsenal's and in the first half both sides created half chances.

In the second half, York got on top and Walwyn and Houchen both came close to scoring.

The match appeared to heading for a goalless draw but in the final minute of normal time, York attacked down the right and Keith Houchen went down under a strong challenge in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot.

Nervous excitement filled the ground and Keith Houchen kept his calm and coolly side-footed the penalty just inside goalkeeper John Lukic's right post.

For York City, this was another famous victory over first division opponents in F.A. Cup matches following the exploits of York's 1938 and 1955 teams.

Acknowledgement

This facsimile of the match programme was created by the publisher of There’s Only One Arthur Bottom, the daily email newsletter for fans of York City FC, and TOOAB contributors Richard Snowball, Terry Espiner and Paul Bowser.

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