Following a crucial victory in his first game in charge, York City manager Martin Gray takes his new club to lowly Leamington this weekend.
Striker Jon Parkin’s double secured them a late triumph against promotion rivals Brackley Town, and with another week’s training under their freshly-installed leadership, the visitors should be an even stronger proposition this time around.
The Minstermen have also since added another highly-rated newcomer to their ranks in the form of Leeds United and prospective Northern Ireland goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell; that following the earlier capture of Darlington’s David Ferguson.
However, accompanying moves for striker Mark Beck and goalkeeper Adam Bartlett – both also from Darlington – have been met with problems; the former currently out injured and the latter not wishing to revert back to full-time football.
Weekend hosts Leamington are actually unbeaten in their last four league games while including victories at home to Bradford Park Avenue 2-1 and, far more surprisingly, 3-2 at Salford last time out.
Vital Quotes:
“We’ve got a clean bill of health, so that’s really great. It’s refreshing that you’re going down there with a squad of eighteen to choose from,” City manager Gray told BBC Radio York. “We’ve got to win games. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing against; we’re York City and we’ve got to go down there, be very respectful of the opposition, but with one thing in mind: we’re going down there to win a game.”
Leamington Team News:
Leamington (possible):. Breeden, Mace, Gudger, Clarke, Hood, English, Dunbar, Magunda, Moore, Edwards, Thompson-Brown
subs: Canavan, Obeng, Taundry, Revan, Gittings
Player to watch: Stefan Moore
Former Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers striker now also holding coaching responsibilities.
York City Team News:
Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell is set for an instant debut having arrived on loan for a month from Leeds United. Meanwhile, left-back Alex Whittle has recovered from a groin injury but striker Michael Rankine remains out.
York City (probable): Peacock-Farrell, Law, Parslow, Bencherif, Ferguson, Heslop, Moke, Newton, Connolly, Parkin, Morgan-Smith
subs (from): Whittle, Sukar, Simpson, Wharton, Felix, Smith, Almond, Muggleton, Edmondson
Player to watch: Bailey Peacock-Farrell
Highly-rated young goalkeeper who has arrived on loan from Leeds United for the next month and possibly beyond.
Match Facts & Stats
No previous meetings between the clubs.
Next Fixtures:
Leamington – Harrogate (A); York – Salford (A)
Weekend Games: Brackley P-P Southport; Chorley P-P Tamworth; FC United of Manchester P-P Alfreton; Gainsborough P-P AFC Telford; Kidderminster P-P North Ferriby; Leamington v York City; Nuneaton v Darlington; Spennymoor v Curzon Ashton; Stockport v Blyth
