Keeping hold of fourth place in the table is the major requirement as York City entertain already relegated Grays Athletic in their final home game of the season at Bootham Crescent.
The Minstermen are currently two points clear of their closest challengers for that position, Rushden & Diamonds, and a victory this weekend would leave the Northamptonshire club needing to win their two remaining games against Wrexham (A) and Luton Town (H) to retain any hopes of passing them.
Should they fail to do so, it would then leave York’s final-day game at probable champions Stevenage Borough largely irrelevant in terms of final placings, unless Oxford United, who are currently in third, have seriously imploded in the meantime.
For their part, Grays come into the contest with a rare victory behind them, something they haven’t been able to claim since November, following their shock midweek 2-0 triumph at AFC Wimbledon, which was their first on the road for sixteen months.
But it’s all been very much over for some time for Julian Dicks’ troubled side, who have already used more than sixty players this term and whose sale of their Bridge Road home was confirmed this week. Next season they plan to ground share in the Ryman League rather than appear in Blue Square South.
Vital Quotes:
York manager Martin Foyle told The Press: “Grays winning at Wimbledon was perhaps a surprise but some of their recent performances haven`t been bad. Stevenage still don`t know how they won 2-1 there and they are a young, committed team playing with no pressure whatsoever. Teams like that can catch you out but, even though we are expecting an awkward game, we will be going all-out attack.”
York City Team News:
With Djoumin Sangare returning to training, York have a full-stength squad available, although the former Salisbury City centre-back wasn’t expected to return to action until Tuesday`s North Riding Cup final against Stokesley. Richard Brodie is still only three cautions away from a potential three-game ban and so will need to again tread carefully.
Player to watch: Alex Lawless
With the emphasis already firmly placed on attack by manager Martin Foyle, the classy Lawless will be the one charged with creating opportunities for York’s normally prolific front-line.
Grays Athletic Team News:
Having been their most dangerous player when the two clubs previously met last last month, former Colchester United striker Jamie Guy is expected to once again lead the visitors attack, probably alongside sixteen-year-old Alex Osborn, who netted on his first senior start at Wimbledon. Five other teenagers were named in their squad for that game, including Harlee Dean (18), Duran Reynolds (18), Harry Agumbar (17) and Joseph Bajowa (18).
Player to watch: Harlee Dean
Grays’ eighteen-year-old skipper has been a rare shining light in a bleak and dismal season.
Match Facts & Stats
Grays have won twice in four previous league visits to Bootham Crescent. York’s only victory arrived in February 2008, when Nicky Wroe (pen) and Leo Fortune-West were both on target. That followed a 1-1 draw between the clubs in an FA Trophy tie, when Craig Farrell converted a late penalty for York, who comfortably won the replay 4-1. But they suffered a shock 1-0 reversal last term in what was Martin Foyle’s first defeat in charge. Athletic also won 2-1 on their first-ever league visit in January 2006 – when Joe O’Neill netted for the hosts – having earlier already triumphed 3-0 in an FA Cup first round tie, in which York striker Andy Bishop bizarrely conceded an own-goal. The following season’s meeting was drawn 2-2 as Steve Bowey and Lewis McMahon scored for the home side.
Match Prediction:
Against such an inexperienced side, you can’t see anything other than a home win. However, Grays have put up a couple of much better performances recently, although such a young group will always struggle for genuine consistency. York boss Martin Foyle has already vowed to attack and providing he includes leading scorer Richard Brodie, there should be goals. If not, it will undoubtedly be much closer. Working on the former scenario rather than the latter, expect York to win comfortably, possibly as emphatic as 5-1.
Next Fixtures:
York: Stevenage (A); Grays: Forest Green (H)
