With York City’s season already threatening to run out of steam within just three months of it starting, they host recent FA Cup conquerors Curzon Ashton at Bootham Crescent this weekend.
The Minstermen discovered yet another dreadful low in their latest 3-2 home defeat to Tamworth – a result which incredibly has them currently trailing new leaders Salford City by a massive sixteen points.
While they still remain only a couple of points outside the extended play-offs places, City are going to need to markedly improve if they are to even attempt to navigate that alternative and far more circuitous route to promotion.
Having already surrendered thirteen from an available twenty-four home points, it’s most certainly in front of their own too regularly let-down supporters where a big change simply must occur.
Notably two of their three victories gathered thus far have been only by the odd-goal, while three times they’ve failed to even score and on six occasions not managed to retain a clean-sheet.
The visitors are currently a single-place higher than them in the division despite a 1-0 loss at Gainsborough Trinity last time out, having earlier both won and drawn six times.
Vital Quotes:
“For me it’s back to basics,” manager Martin Gray told BBC Radio York. “Back to that first game mentality against Brackley; being very solid, very hard to beat, very workmanlike and loads of energy. We need to make sure that we give our home crowd something to really cheer about. We’ve got to start producing goals and keeping clean-sheets and give the fans something they deserve.”
York City Team News:
York could decide to include latest signing Gary Martin while defender Hamza Bencherif has recovered from a knock. But forward Louis Almond [shoulder] is ruled out along with suspended England ‘C’ international David Ferguson following his sending-off against Tamworth. Recent arrival Daniel Rowe is likely to be handed a first start having scored on his debut last week.
York City (possible): Peacock-Farrell, Law, Parslow, Bencherif, Whittle, Morgan-Smith, Rowe, Newton, Connolly, Parkin, Martin
subs: Moke, Wharton, Heslop, Gray, Worsnop
Player to watch: Gary Martin
New striker with previous experience in both the Champions League and Europa League.
Curzon Ashton Team News:
As available …
Player to watch: Niall Cummins
Crucially scored in both FA Cup meetings with York last season.
Match Facts & Stats
A single previous meeting of the sides at Bootham Crescent – an FA Cup fourth qualifying round 1-1 draw in October 2016, when Richard Brodie’s early penalty was cancelled out by the half-hour. Team: Letheren, Oyebanjo, Higgins, Kamdjo, Whittle, Rooney (Felix), Heslop, Fielding (Dixon), Galbraith, Klukowski, Brodie (Nti)
Next Fixtures:
York – Alfreton (A); Curzon Ashton – Southport (H)
Weekend Games: AFC Telford P-P Tamworth; Bradford PA v Blyth; Darlington v Brackley; Gainsborough P-P Chorley; Harrogate P-P Kidderminster; Leamington v Boston; Nuneaton v Spennymoor; Salford v Alfreton; Southport v North Ferriby; Stockport v FC United of Manchester; York City v Curzon Ashton
