Match Preview

Stevenage Borough v York City

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York City complete a very successful programme so far with a visit to Blue Square Premier champions Stevenage Borough this weekend, with manager Martin Foyle warning his players to keep calm and avoid potential injuries and suspensions at all costs.

That will undoubtedly have been his main focus of attention, with the actual result becoming pretty much a side issue – apart from the home team continuing to establish a new points record. Whatever that result is, it will help decide which of Oxford United and Luton Town will provide the opposition for the visitors in their play-off semi-final first-leg at Bootham Crescent next Thursday evening.

Vital Quotes:

Stevenage manager Graham Westley told BBC Sport: “We’re in a fortunate position where we’ve got a Trophy final to prepare for, so people are playing for shirts, and we’ve got a points record to go for, so there’s a little bit of something for us to play for and that’s a bonus.”

“It`s impossible to forecast the outcome of the other results and decide what we need to do,” York manager Martin Foyle told The Press. “We can only worry about ourselves at Stevenage and, then, get on with who we get. From our point of view, it would have been nice to know who we would get in advance because we could have concentrated on watching them but the other teams are in the same boat. It doesn`t make any difference at all whether we get Luton or Oxford – they are both good sides.”

Stevenage Borough Team News:

Manager Graham Westley is likely to revert to his strongest side after making seven changes for the midweek 1-0 victory at relegation-threatened Gateshead … (More details as available) …

Player to watch: Andy Drury

Talented winger with a fast direct style and decent cross that makes him always a creative danger.

York City Team News:

The Minstermen have a full-strength squad to choose from as centre-back Djoumin Sangare is now back in regular training. Leading scorer Richard Brodie is the man who will have to be most careful as he is currently three matches away from another suspension, and could therefore theoretically still miss any Wembley final. Most York fans will be wondering if manager Martin Foyle will rest players, and if so how many. Foyle is nothing if not thorough, and will undoubtedly have already decided this much earlier in the week.

Player to watch: Michael Ingham

New ‘Clubman of the Year’ and a calm presence between the posts for the Minstermen. Big games should be simply a matter of routine for the former Northern Ireland international.

Match Facts & Stats

York have a very decent record at Stevenage, with only one defeat from their previous five visits. However, three of the games have ended as draws, beginning five years ago when Jon Maloney and Byron Webster were on target as the two sides shared four goals. The next year Clayton Donaldson earned the visitors a 1-1 draw, and he was also on the scoresheet alongside Steve Bowey as York prevailed 2-1 during the 2006-07 campaign. Boro gained their revenge the following year with a 3-2 victory, while last season’s clash finished 3-3 after Onome Sodje, Peter Holmes and Craig Farrell inspired a visitors fightback from two-goals down.

Match Prediction:

There’s always been goals in this fixture and it could be the same again. Stevenage will be looking to complete their outstanding league programme in style, but York are one of the best away outfits in the division. We’re edging towards a 2-2 draw on this occasion.

Next Fixtures:

York – Play-off semi-final against either Luton or Oxford, next Thursday evening at Bootham Crescent (kick-off 7.45pm)

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