Having allowed another two home points to slip through their fingertips at the weekend, fifth-placed York City travel to Grays Athletic for the second time this season. The first game between the sides was postponed as the adverse weather conditions wiped out the full Blue Square Premier programme just before Christmas. The Minstermen are currently five points clear of the group chasing the play-off contenders and with a game in hand, with their manager Martin Foyle believing they are just a couple of good results away from reaching their target. In contrast, Grays are marooned at the the bottom of the table and sixteen points away from safety.
Vital Quotes:
“It`s going to be tough for us, we know that but it`s not impossible,” Grays manager Julian Dicks told The Press. “I keep reading that I`m preparing for Blue Square South but I didn`t say that. We have to keep going and try to get out of it.”
“I was maybe a little too critical of the team on Saturday because, even though the first half was not good enough, the second half was a lot better and we should have won the game,” York boss Martin Foyle told The Press. “Our pitch is also a defenders` pitch and suits negative teams. I just want us to get where we want to be as soon as we can and a couple more good results will mean we are nearly there. It would be fantastic to get three points at Grays before having a free Saturday. That might just panic a few teams in and around us.”
Grays Athletic Team News:
Skipper Harlee Dean returns from a two-match suspension, but striker Wayne Gray and defender Gavin Hoyte are definitely out and winger Alex Rhodes is rated doubtful.
Player to watch: Harlee Dean
Returns from a two-match ban and has been a rare bright spot this season.
York City Team News:
Midfielder Alex Lawless could be recalled from a seven-game absence after completing an hour for the reserves last week and being an unused substitute on Saturday. Chris Carruthers will also be hoping for inclusion after coming on against Tamworth, but manager Martin Foyle’s chief concern will be in attack and the lack of goals from his highly-rated front duo.
Player to watch: Neil Barrett
Virtually an ever-present and has probably been York’s most consistent performer this season. Also a scorer of vital goals, but will be looking to improve on his current tally of four.
Match Facts & Stats
Grays haven’t won for four months and seventeen matches and have managed only three league wins all season.
York have failed to score more than one goal in a game in their last sixteen matches. Their three leading strikers, Richard Brodie (11), Michael Gash (15) and Michael Rankine (10), haven’t found the back of the net for a combined 36 games. The Minstermen have won once and drawn twice in four previous meetings at Grays, but lost 1-0 on the most recent occasion last season in a crucial clash when both clubs were fighting against relegation.
Next Fixtures:
Grays – Kettering (H); York – Altrincham (H)
