Playing against a Saudi side that once paid as much as £14,000,000 on former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, York gave a good account of themselves to earn a draw.
It brings an end to City’s overseas trip to Alicante, Spain, where they have been utilising the facilities at La Nucia Training Camp.
Supporters joined them in making the trip to Spain, and watched on as the Minstermen came from behind to clinch a draw.
The result comes two days after York had played Al-Ettifaq’s under-21’s side, and had eased to a 6-0 victory with goals coming from Frankie Maguire, Ben Farrar, Dipo Akinyemi, Greg Olley and Joe Grey.
But as Stuart Maynard had said last weekend after City had fallen to a 5-1 defeat against Premier League side Sunderland, he was anticipating a difficult test when facing Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq.
Playing in their blue and black third strip for the first time, Maynard named a starting 11 that was similar to the side that finished against Al-Ettifaq’s under-21’s two days prior.
Alfie McNally got more minutes between the sticks after signing on a season-long loan from Fulham, whilst Joe Felix continued to operate in central midfield, rather than his natural right-back position.
There was no Ollie Pearce, Mark Kitching, Arthur Read or Jeff King involved, with them all being rested.
Al-Ettifaq had a team that boasted talent – with former Fulham, Celtic, Lyon and Atletico Madrid striker Moussa Dembele leading the line.
It was a dream start for the Minstermen though, as they stormed into an early lead.
Just four minutes in, Ryan Fallowfield produced a bullet header which beat the Al-Ettifaq goalkeeper.
The Saudi side had two early chances of their own, but to no prevail with McNally stopping both, before Felix had a low effort parried away by the opposition shot-stopper.
McNally then made a low save of his own, before the referee awarded Al-Ettifaq a penalty on the brink of half-time.
Up stepped Dembele, who tucked away the penalty, becoming the first player to score against McNally since he joined the club.
York City were joined by an impressive number of supporters at their La Nucia training camp in Spain. (Image: York City FC)
Heading into the second-half, York went close again as Zech Medley sliced an effort just over the bar.
Al-Ettifaq then pulled ahead for the first time in the game with a good finish from close-range.
York would have chances to draw level as they ticked off the minutes in their pre-season friendly, but the breakthrough wouldn’t come until the 82nd minute.
It was Felix who grabbed the leveller, producing a curling finish from distance to make it 2-2.
City would end the match with ten men as Ollie Banks was shown a red card with two minutes left to play, but Al-Ettifaq wouldn’t make the man advantage count.
YORK CITY: McNally, Grey, Fallowfield, Johnson, Medley, Brookes, Hunt, Felix, Banks, Olley, Akinyemi
SUBS: Sykes-Kenworthy, Hewitt, Shelton, Williams, Farrar, Stiver, Newby
