York City’s fate this season comes down to ninety minutes, plus a potential half-hour of extra-time and even penalties, as they take a 1-0 lead to Luton Town in their play-off semi-final.
Richard Brodie’s late goal at Bootham Crescent on Thursday evening fuelled hopes of a glorious Wembley visit for the second successive season for the Minstermen, albeit this time with a much bigger and far more cherished prize available.
Manager Martin Foyle had earlier said that he would be happy going to Kenilworth Road still heavily involved in the tie overall, and would have indeed settled for parity after the first ninety minutes.
But Brodie’s dramatic late goal has given the visitors a narrow and possibly decisive edge, and Foyle will be hoping that in turn places Richard Money’s side under significantly increased pressure before a large and expectant home crowd.
Either way it leaves the opening stages of this return clash absolutely crucial and the first goal totally priceless. York fans will no doubt be hoping that there won’t be one.
However, should the tie be level on aggregate after ninety minutes, there would then be extra-time and possibly penalties as away goals don’t count in the play-offs.
Vital Quotes:
“I don’t think it will be any different from the first leg for either side,” Hatters manager Richard Money told Luton’s official website. “Both teams are set out to attack so I’m not expecting any different to be honest with you. Obviously we’d rather not be going into it a goal behind but while we know we played well we know that York played well too. I said before the first leg that we were in for two tough games and coming off the pitch on Thursday we knew we’d had one and we’ve got another one to get through tomorrow, no matter how we do it. I don’t expect anything less from York. They have two dangerous front men that need to be looked after and if I was in their shoes I’d want them to give us problems.”
“I never play that way [defensive] because it is hard to get out of that negative mentality if you concede a goal and we will go there and play our normal game. It`s nip and tuck now,” York boss Martin Foyle told The Press. “I know they will come at us and I know we are capable of scoring a goal. It`s just hard to predict whether they will go for it early on or be patient and have a big go at it later on. But we can`t worry about what they will do. We can only concentrate on ourselves and we are looking forward to the game. We have got a couple of knocks and one is worse than we thought. We will just have to monitor the situation over the next 48 hours.”
Luton Town Team News:
Luton boss Richard Money will make a late decision on defender Ed Asafu-Adjaye, who missed the first game with a sore hip. But winger Claude Gnapka has recovered from the cramp that forced his substitution at Bootham Crescent, while left-back Fred Murray is also available after taking a heavy blow during the first-leg.
Player to watch: Claude Gnapka
A constant threat during the first-leg on the right and sure to really test James Meredith again. Keith Keane will also be vital, orchestrating in midfield.
York City Team News:
York have a couple of injury worries although they were understandably refusing to identify those concerned. But James Meredith took a knock in the first-leg while Neil Barrett was also withdrawn. Should either of those miss out it could open the way for the likes of Courtney Pitt or Paul Harsley.
Player to watch: James Meredith
His confrontation with the dangerous Claude Gnapka could go a long way to finally deciding the tie. Elsewhere, York’s hopes of a potentially vital second goal will again be pinned on the brave chest of Richard Brodie.
Match Facts & Stats
Luton haven’t beaten York in three games so far this season, although two of them have finished level. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road in their first meeting, with Neil Barrett giving the visitors the lead. The reverse fixture at Bootham Crescent finished scoreless.
Ref Watch:
Rob Lewis (Shropshire)
Match Prediction:
York’s stiffest challenge of the season to date. But they have almost always proved themselves resourceful and courageous and boast a tremendous record away at the leading sides. Luton 1 York 1.
Next Fixtures:
Wembley play-off final against either Oxford United or Rushden & Diamonds at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 16th May.
