After their first win of the season at the weekend and with each of their three major strikers now safely off the mark, York City will be heading to newly-promoted Fleetwood Town with restored confidence on Bank Holiday Monday.
Michael Rankine netted twice against Altrincham after appearing as a second-half substitute on Saturday, and last season’s top scorer Richard Brodie was also on target in a 3-0 triumph that hoisted the Minstermen towards mid-table.
Latest opponents Fleetwood were, meanwhile, going down to a narrow 1-0 defeat at fellow newcomers Southport, who were promoted alongside them from Conference North at the end of last season.
However, York manager Martin Foyle has already tipped them to be amongst the top three in the division come the end of the season and was therefore expecting another tough encounter.
Vital Quotes:
“We came in today [Sunday] after a disappointment on Saturday,” former Accrington midfielder Ian Craney told Fleetwood’s official website. “The positives have been taken from that game and we are focused on moving on against York City.”
“We are going to one of the top three sides for me,” York boss Martin Foyle told The Press. “We know it is going to be a very hard game. They are a big side. One or two tired towards the end of Saturday`s game, so I think I have got to use the squad wisely. Michael [Rankine] has done himself plenty of favours. It was a good goal the first one, a fantastic ball in and he has spun off and finished with his left foot and you could see the old Michael Rankine return.”
Fleetwood Town Team News:
Fleetwood were waiting on the fitness of veteran former Aston Villa left-back Alan Wright (knee) who missed their weekend defeat at Southport. Midfielders Nathan Pond and Jamie Mullan are both doubts.
Fleetwood Town (possible): Hurst, Beeley, McNulty, Linwood, Cavanagh, Pond, Connors, Vieira, Craney, Curtis, Thorpe
subs: Davies, Barry, McGuire, Seddon, Beesley
Player to watch: Magno Vieira
Brazilian-born former Ebbsfleet United and Crawley Town striker with a decent record at this level of the game.
York City Team News:
York manager Martin Foyle must decide whether to recall striker Michael Rankine after his two goals as a substitute against Altrincham at the weekend finally turned the game in their favour. Chris Carruthers is a serious doubt after limping off in that game, while fellow midfielder Levi Mackin is again expected to be unavailable.
York City (possible): Ingham, Parslow, McGurk, Sangare, Meredith, Till, Barrett, Lawless, Rankine, Gash, Brodie
subs: Courtney, Young, McDermott, Smith, Knight
Player to watch: Michael Rankine
Two goals at the weekend should have York’s bustling striker in good spirits and pressing for inclusion from the start.
Match Facts & Stats
Fleetwood Town and York City have never met before.
Next Fixtures:
Fleetwood – Crawley (A); York – Rushden (H)
